Annual General Meeting – Speaker: Rainer Rehwinkel “The Natural Splendours of South Africa”

Rainer Rehwinkel spent four weeks in several locations in this diverse country earlier this year:  nature reserves in the Pretoria district, a tour of Kruger National Park, and various locations in the floristically diverse Western Cape.  Visiting various botanical gardens as well, he filled my time admiring this country’s amazing plants, mammals, and birdlife.  He says “My photos can only scratch the surface, and my appetite is whet for another trip there.  I hope I’ll whet your appetite too!”

Rainer is an eminent grassland scientist, who will no doubt be presenting his visit to South Africa through the eyes of an ecologist.

His story:  “I have had a deep interest and love of nature since the age of 12.  I started my career as horticulturist and changed careers after studying  ecology in 1990 at the University of Canberra.  Working briefly with ACT Parks and Conservation, I then moved over to the NSW Government, where I worked firstly as a Grassland Project Office, and then for many years, as a Senior Threatened Species officer.  I specialised in the conservation of grassy ecosystems and the flora and fauna that they support, until my retirement in 2015.  Since retiring, I’ve kept up my skills by being involved in community and advocacy work, including Landcare, Friends of Grasslands, Wandiyali Trust, Friends of Bluetts Block and the Conservation Council.  I’ve travelled to all continents except North America and Antarctica.  In my travels,  I spend most of my time looking at and photographing landscapes, flora and wildlife.  At home, I spend much of my free time birding and exploring the natural areas of Canberra and the wider region.”

Refreshments available from 7pm. Mugs or keep-cups encouraged. Non-members welcomed.

Meeting starts at 7:30pm.