WILD

My Journey “In the Tracks of Giants” – Meeting Ian Player & Heading out on Trail

Just a very brief update....today we met up with Charlotte Baron, the Chair of WILD's Board of Directors and Magnus Sylven and his wife Bettina from Switzerland.  We drove north from Durban to Howick, and had tea with Ian Player -- WILD's founder and legendary conservationist.  It was an amazing experience and I promise to write more about it soon.  We arrived at the Wilderness Leadership School just after dark and met our guide for the next 5 days.  After dinner, we heard instructions on packing of 'kits' and then got to work!  We have just finished packing and are enjoying ... Read More

My Journey “In the Tracks of Giants” – A day at the Wilderness Foundation

The weather in Port Elizabeth was rainy and chilly today -- but the warm welcome by our colleagues at the Wilderness Foundation made the day bright!  Andrew Muir, Executive Director of the Foundation (a partner with us in the Wilderness Network -- a close collaborative group of organizations world-wide all founded by Dr. Ian Player), met us for breakfast.  We caught up briefly and then a little field trip! Read More

My journey “In the Tracks of Giants” – A busy day!

It's only day 3 (or day 4??).  I have no idea and think I will soon stop trying to count.  Today, I woke up just in time to hear some of the roosters crowing at Isandlwana.  A quick bit of yoga on the patio before meeting Elizabeth Dhalmini, who runs our programs in the village.  She updated Vance and I on the gardens, schools, craft programs, dancers, soccer team and the organic orchard. So much has changed in the village from when WILD first began working there in 1999!  Elizabeth notices now that people are moving to the village, because ... Read More

My Journey “In the Tracks of Giants” – Community & Conservation

Today was quiet the amazing day…seems like many days combined into one. Waking up in Johannesburg was lovely. We had a nice morning with Sven and Karen, then took to the road on a 4-5 hour drive to Isandlwana. Through the heart of the “Orange Free State”, I heard more history than my brain could digest. Learning about South Africa’s history - one that is filled with beauty, violence, loyalty and hardship - while driving through the countryside, teaches more than any textbook ever could. Read More

A Night in Johannesburg

Tonight we landed in Johannesburg, after a long series of flights from Denver. We are staying with Vance’s good friend Sven Kreher. Sven and his partner Karen prepared a delicious and fresh dinner for us and we spent some time talking about the current conservation issues in South Africa and catching up on work done in recent months. One of my favorite parts of the evening was learning about the artwork which adorns Sven’s house, specifically a piece by Keith Joubert and the style of artwork which he pioneered – a style of impressionist wildlife painting ... Read More

My Journey In the Tracks of Giants – Some WILD History

Yesterday (I think it was yesterday...hard to tell with the travel & time change!), I asked Vance (WILD's President) -- When did you first go to South Africa? I could tell this was going to be a good story the second I asked. Vance seemed a bit surprised  by the question and then smiled thinking back. He said he hadn’t thought about his first trip to Africa in a while. It was the early 80’s, and Ian Player asked Vance to come to Africa. Ian and his wife Ann, picked Vance and his family up at the airport. Vance’s ... Read More

My Journey “In the Tracks of Giants”….

OR, I'm going to AFRICA?!?!! Today, I head out on a great adventure.  I'm sitting at the Denver airport with WILD's President Vance Martin, about to embark on an amazing journey.  Over the next few weeks, we'll visit with partners and programs in South Africa and Botswana -- my first on-the-ground introduction to our history and work in Southern Africa.  I'm overwhelmed, excited and extremely humbled. Just a few of the places we'll visit are: The Wilderness Leadership School,  The Wilderness Foundation, Isandlwana Village Project, Edu-Peg classroom program, the Umfolozi Game Reserve, and the Okavango Delta. We'll meet with some amazing conservation leaders along the way.  Following the lead ... Read More

Over the Rocking Chair’s Creak

a poem by Jim Butler The day comes surely to us all When Autumn's years will fall, And memories serve our best recall. With mind alive, yet body weak, We sit immersed in life's critique, In rhythm to a rocking creak. Few ask of you, dear mother earth, If something bettered from my birth, That gave a measure to my worth. Your bounty we do so deface To measure in our market place, I blush to gaze upon your face. Is something better due to me? Guide, oh earth, my memory, To lift this nagging agony. A bumblebee that I set free? A child I showed to plant a tree Who championed ecology? A woods I urged them not ... Read More

Video from Cycling Silk

Check out what the dynamic duo - the Cycling Silk team - is up to these days as they continue their journey along the Silk Road to raise awareness for and promote transboundary conservation efforts. Cycling Silk 2011 Trailer from Kate Harris on Vimeo. Read More

Community Involvement through Isandlwana Lodge

(The following is written by the owner/managers of Isandlwana Lodge, our partners in the Zulu Village Project since its inception) Many of our guests express sincere interest in the advantages that have come to the people of Isandlwana since the Lodge was opened in May 1999 and they have helped in a number of ways: Some have facilitated free dental clinics, hosted a garden party to raise funds for the purchase of sports uniforms for the high school and contributed towards the purchase of school computers. Many have “adopted” a child in terms of sponsoring their school fees and uniforms. ... Read More