The Botanical Education Trust has announced its awards made for the year 2010. Although the Trustees decided on these during November 2010, the awards have only now been confirmed as some recipients had to meet certain criteria to the satisfaction of the Trustees. Awards are made from the interest earned on donations to the Trust. As these are public funds, they have to be spent by the Trust with the utmost care and consideration. All the recipients have now met the stringent requirements as laid down by the Trustees. They are also compelled to report back to the Trust regarding progress within a specified period.
Dr Marinda Koekemoer was awarded an amount of R20 765-25 to compile a publication entitled Plant families of southern Africa – know and identify the 51 largest families. This project aims to educate users regarding the beauty and diversity of our fascinating flora and to increase their knowledge of the main plant families. If a person can attach a name to something, it has more meaning and scientific value and will assist in fostering appreciation and hence conservation.
In addition to her 2009 award, Ms Anne Johannsmeier received a further R20 000-00 for her research project A monograph and phylogeny of Dipcadi (Hyacinthaceae) in southern Africa. Because taxonomists seldom appear in the limelight of botanical research, they often find it difficult to attract funding for their research. However, their work is of vital importance in advancing the knowledge of our flora. Without knowledge, the protection of our indigenous plants becomes virtually impossible.
The third successful applicant was Ms Janine Victor who was awarded R19 350-00 for her project entitled Taxonomic problems in plants of conservation importance. This project concerns threatened and data deficient plants, which are often listed as Red Data species. Preserving such plants is of great conservation importance and potentially has financial implications for developers. The research will be of immense value to conservationists and help improve EIA processes.
The Trust received applications for funding last year in excess of R183 000. These applications were well motivated and worthy of support, being in line with the Trust’s objective to conserve indigenous vegetation. Unfortunately the funds available limited the choice of the Trustees to the above three applicants. It is for this reason that further appeals are made to the public for contributions to this Trust.