JUST IN: Sperrgebiet flora in spotlight
The Namibia Scientific Society is hosting a public lecture by Dr Antje Burke on Tuesday, 11 July, regarding the Sperrgebiet's endemic plants. One of the many remarkable aspects of the new Tsau ǁKhaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park is its plant diversity. Many of the plants found there are endemic - they exist nowhere else on earth!
The Sperrgebiet's endemic flora has been relatively well protected for over 100 years due to its restricted access, but change is on the horizon. Once the new park opens to the public, more people will have the opportunity to see these plants while enjoying the natural beauty of the Sperrgebiet. The influx of visitors and the development of tourism and industrial infrastructure can pose a threat to this botanical treasure if not planned with the plants in mind.
Dr Burke has had a passion for plants since her early childhood in Germany's forests. Since then, she has gained extensive knowledge of the flora in her home country, the Mediterranean, the Negev Desert, and southern Africa. She came to Namibia in 1988 and has been nurturing her passion as a researcher, lecturer and environmental consultant, with a deep understanding of Namibia's flora. She has been working in the Sperrgebiet for nearly 30 years, advising Namdeb, the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, and other stakeholders in the area, on issues related to biodiversity, conservation planning and environmental management. Participation via Zoom is possible! Here is the link: https://zoom.us/j/8023841980. The lecture starts at 19:00.
The Sperrgebiet's endemic flora has been relatively well protected for over 100 years due to its restricted access, but change is on the horizon. Once the new park opens to the public, more people will have the opportunity to see these plants while enjoying the natural beauty of the Sperrgebiet. The influx of visitors and the development of tourism and industrial infrastructure can pose a threat to this botanical treasure if not planned with the plants in mind.
Dr Burke has had a passion for plants since her early childhood in Germany's forests. Since then, she has gained extensive knowledge of the flora in her home country, the Mediterranean, the Negev Desert, and southern Africa. She came to Namibia in 1988 and has been nurturing her passion as a researcher, lecturer and environmental consultant, with a deep understanding of Namibia's flora. She has been working in the Sperrgebiet for nearly 30 years, advising Namdeb, the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, and other stakeholders in the area, on issues related to biodiversity, conservation planning and environmental management. Participation via Zoom is possible! Here is the link: https://zoom.us/j/8023841980. The lecture starts at 19:00.
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