FIELD NOTES: AUGUST 2013

“Go forth under the open sky, and listen to nature’s teachings.” (William Cullen Bryant) Tick-tick-tick… Yes, time is running out to make 2013 a year to remember! So come one, what are you waiting for?! All you need to do to attend an EcoTraining course at any of our wilderness camps across Southern African and in Kenya, is visit www.ecotraining.co.za or send an email toenquiries@ecotraining.co.za to join in the action! To pique your interest and whet the appetite, read and take a look what happened in the last month… We have launched a brand new website. All the information is still there, and we’ve added a few more interesting features. Now it’s just in a new package – Go on, check it out! www.ecotraining.co.za. Selati (South Africa): Even though nature marches to its own beat and doesn't (or shouldn't...) need too much meddling from us humans, sometimes we do have to step in... Like with this recent collar change of Mburri, one of Selati Game Reserve's male lions. And of course the EcoTraining team was there to take a closer look. (Pictures courtesy of Stefan Fourie, thank you!) Read More.... Mashatu (Botswana): "To prepare leaders in the conservation and sustainable management of forests and other natural resources; to discover ways to restore and better use the earth’s natural resources; and to put into practice forestry and natural resources knowledge." This is the mission of the school of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia(UGA) A very apt description as recently a group of students ventured across the ocean all the way to the Land of the Giants in Botswana to EcoTraining’s wilderness camp in Mashatu. Read More.... Karongwe (South Africa): This wilderness camp, situated just a stone’s through from the famed Kruger National Park, recently had a magnificent couple of days with sightings galore! Instructor Mark Gunn sent through this update. So sit back and enjoy, it’s magical! Read More... Makuleke (Kruger National Park): At first they thought the feathered visitor would put in a solitary appearance, never to be seen again… But then he (or she?!) kept coming back and now the wood owl is part of the family at EcoTraining’s wilderness camp in the Makuleke concession in the far north of the Kruger National Park. Dee Lawson tells the whole story: Read More... In recognition of Women’s Month, we put the spotlight on our very own bush lady… Who is Margaux? And what led you to the bush? When asked where it all started, I think I can only blame my mom, who when pregnant with me, decided to do a wilderness trail in the Hluluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. There a black rhino managed to chase her up a tree. I think that encounter was the start of things… Seriously though, I grew up in Pretoria East, but having a wilderness-loving dad, we would go and explore remote areas of Southern Africa whenever we had the opportunity to do so. He would always encourage us to learn more about the ‘small things’, and so I gained a greater appreciation for all that is WILD. Read More... For two decades, EcoTraining has been training field guides, starting way back in 1993 with the first batch of eager students attending the inaugural course in the Sabi Sands Reserve in Mpumalanga. Since then a great number has gone on to make their mark in the industry and are continuing to do great work all over the world. We want to hear from you, email us with your stories! Like Marc Lindsay Rea.... At twenty-eight, Marc Lindsay-Rea, who hails from the little town of Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, already has extensive experience in the African bush. As an ex EcoTraining student, he’s certainly living the dream! “When I was 11 my father went on a business trip to Phinda Private game reserve and returned home with a brochure of CC Africa. I was amazed by the images… From that day on I knew I wanted to work in the bush and become a ranger. Read More... Experience what Marc is talking about… send an email to enquiries@ecotraining.co.za or go to www.ecotraining.co.za. You won't regret it!