South African Wetland Society
Excellence, Professionalism and Ethics in the Wetland Community of Practice of South Africa
About Our Logo Design
Colours were chosen to be bright and vibrant signifying a passion for wetlands and drawing on the diversity of people and places that are found in South Africa.
A holistic circular logo with all four components held together by the letter “W”, this being the first letter in the word “Wetlands”.
The “W” represents a pair of hands holding up the Sun, which in turn supports Water and Plants for Life whilst standing on the Soil of the Earth.
The “W” also represents the arms and legs of the human component or the “Wetlanders” that constitute the Society.
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(1) Orange and Yellow
Represents the energy from the Sun for all Life on Earth to thrive.
(2) Blue
Represents water from rain, rivers and wetlands providing sustenance for all Life.
(3) Green
Represents vegetation from grass, plants and trees providing nutrition and habitat for all Life.
(4) Olive and Brown
Represents the soil of the Earth, the foundation on which all Life stands or is built.
Wetland Definition
In all its operations, the Society shall use the following definitions of a wetland.
The South African National Water Act
Land which is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems, where the water table is usually at or near the surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water, and which in normal circumstances supports or would support vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soils.
Act No 36 of 1998
The Ramsar Convention
An area of marsh, fen, peatlands or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.
Ramsar convention 1971: Cowan, 1995
Our Intent
The Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Society.
Vision
To build and promote excellence, professionalism and ethics in the Wetland Community of Practice of South Africa.
Mission
To develop and maintain professional standards and best management practices of subscribed wetland practitioners in South Africa in order to promote wetland sciences, conservation and management through collaboration and self-regulation of all Society members.
Objectives
The objectives of the Society are:
(1) To promote standards and quality of wetland work through:
- Professional development;
- Progressive thinking through innovative research and development (including the creation of opportunities in the field);
- Wide spectrum of involvement;
- Collaboration with the various stakeholders; and
- Self-regulation.
(2) To further the interest of members through:
- Recommended professional fees;
- Preferential opportunity;
- Providing opportunities for continuous training development;
- Giving opportunity to young people interested in the field through identification of career paths, internships, mentorships, transfer of skills and linkages with established role players or promotion and distribution of information; and
- Setting standards and quality control.
(3) To contribute to transformation through:
- Building a wetland community of practice that is representative of scientific and technical disciplines, race and gender demographics of South Africa; and
- Striving towards ensuring representation of race and gender demographics of South Africa in the membership and management structures of the Society.
(4) To create a Society for:
- Promoting interactions between various stakeholders involved in the wetland field of practice;
- Encouraging best management practice in the wetland field;
- Capacity building;
- Promoting research through funding and partnership;
- The distribution of information;
- Quality control and peer review; and
- Representing the interests of the entire South African wetland community.