User:Banhoek conservancy/sandbox

Hi surferboy,

I have read your comments and your rejection of our submission, please allow me to explain our situation.

I am the manager of the Banhoek Conservancy. The Conservancy is located in a valley in the Western Cape, in the Cape Winelands of South Africa.

We have created a Nature Conservation area which incorporates the villages of Lanquedoc, Kylemore and Pniel as well as all the surrounding farms. These farms produce, Wine and grapes, fruit and wildflowers for the export market.

We have 3 problem in the villages and farms: 1. An increasing prevalence of drug abuse by the youth. this comes with an increase in crime to support the drug use. 2. The Communities have a high unemployment rate which exacerbates the drug/crime. 3. A lot of alien vegetation encroachment into the local natural vegetation.

To mitigate these problems the Banhoek Conservancy was established. The aim of the Banhoek Conservancy is to:

1. Remove the alien infestations so that the natural plants can re-establish. This has created employment opportunities for locals to remove the wood (mainly Australian gums and willows) to be sold for firewood or used for various by-products. The removal of the alien vegetation (water thirsty plants) has in turn allowed water to be released back into the river/stream systems and wetlands which means a re-establishment of the small animals. The presence of small animals allows for the gradual return of larger animals which need the smaller animals to survive off. For example the sighting of leopards is now quite common by our strategically placed animal cameras.

2. Create  hiking paths, mountain bike trails to improve tourism opportunities in the valley. The establishment of these paths cost money and thus provide employment opportunities for the local community. The single-track paths are used by sporting enthusiasts for exercising and to hold events which in turn create more employment opportunities. At the same time the paths act as access routes to fight fires, remove alien vegetation and monitor wildlife activities.

3. Be the "glue" which holds together the various communities who inhabit the Banhoek Valley.

Finally, to help us achieve these goals we have turned to the internet as a means of putting our message out and one of the channels is Wikipedia.

In summary, we have established the Banhoek Conservancy. You can check on our various channels to see the various activities which are happening in the Valley.

I do not have any further references to provide because we established the area.

Please reply to help us move forward.

Kind Regards Kim Lord (for and on behalf of the Banhoek Conservancy)