SANParks.org Forums

Hey PNF...glad you are back..hope you got some good bird photos.

I will wait for the report next week too then.

One other thought about communicating to visitors about park rules...and I do love the sticker idea and I would for that to be brought to fruition.
I think that another target audience which has the most influence in the long term are children.
I'm not sure how many times our behaviour was corrected by the all knowing backseat voices. That doesn't sound so good for our behaviour does it? Oh dear. Perhaps another thought, while we are on a roll, might be to aim something their way.
Borrowing an idea deep in the cobwebs of my mind from past swimming lessons...kids usually like to colour...why not take the same simple designs of the park rules, and turn them into a colouring book? Not that I want the kids to be engrossed in a book in the park and not viewing...but it is an activity that parents might appreciate for their kids in the quiet times of the evening. Again, could be sold for a nominal amount, proceeds going to the park. Perhaps these rules could be expanded to show the consequences of not following the rules. Not that I want to totally traumatize little kids but certainly frightening situations could be tactfully drawn to get the point across that this would be serious and scarey.
If kids knew the rules, you bet they would be harping at their parents, if Daddy or Mommy chose to do something they understood was not good!
Just an idea....your thoughts?

That is part of the idea behind the posters - kids tend to look at and read anything attractive while waiting for parents etc...... Some of them will then become back-seat policemen!

KTF hooked I was thinking along the same lines. I don't recall this being an official program in Kruger, but the US Parks Service does a "Junior Ranger" pamphlet/program (different than what SANParks calls Junior Ranger) that helps kids educate themselves about the National Park they are in, interesting things/facts/activities, and rules of the park. My kids loved them, and I heard backseat voices many-a-trip wanting to make sure we were looking out for a certain animal or were following a certain rule.

The kids would complete their pamphlet/activities, turn it into a park ranger, and get a Junior Ranger badge. Yellowstone's Jr. Ranger program can be found here.

If SANParks has something like this, maybe it would be good to expand it online? NPS WebRangers

ecojunkie...sorry I guess I should have read more of your poster ideas- I didn't see that...I was just pondering how to be more effective at getting messages across...and that is what I came up with. I guess I should read the other thread.
stark...right on...I do agree that kids can become good stewards of messages...I was thinking of all the swimming colouring books my kids did many moons ago. They loved them too.

I think the colouring book idea is good, but there are drawbacks too...a)using up more tree resources to produce the books b)littering c)who would sell them and where...

Hey at least we have some ideas to help out the parks. I look forward to hearing about the meetings next week.

EJ, Michel and had thought about creating a "VHR Passport" but seems there is a Sanparks one sold at the camp shops.

How about working on a "Juniors Passport"?
Basic:
- First pages warning drawings on what you do not due in the parks
- Then Sanparks does and don't s
- Last pages will designed so that kids can get each camp reception to place a stamp proving their stay in which park and camp.

Kids would love the idea of having very own wildlife passport.

Any ideas on this??

Sounds good but we may have to check copyright on the existing passport before we hijack the idea!

Let's get the current projects through and in the park and then work on others - but brainstorm while we sit on them!

want of our ash???

Hi PNF,

We have had our discussions and agreed that we need to have a serious look at these project ideas. We need together to look at funding, permissions, designs, printing, distribution etc etc. We also need to link with SANParks on all this. I have sent you a PM about this.

We also want to work with whoever is interested and keen - the idea is to include as many forum members as possible, to get as many ideas in as we can and so on in order to end up with a really successful project.

So - while some behind the scenes groundwork is being done, please keep the ideas coming. The more support such initiatives have, the greater the chance of success

If I am quiet here for the rest of the week, it is because I am off to Mountain Zebra until the weekend

Thanks DB for your prompt feedback.
Would appreciate more ideas - as DB said, we need as many as possible - I am artistically disadvantaged so perhaps the more able ones amongst you can either elaborate on existing ideas already posted or come up with other proposals?

P

When I was a few years younger the National Parks Board issued each arriving vehicle to any National Park with a typical park sticker, the reverse in green and gold were some of the basic park rules :

The Goldn Gate sticker had:
Keep the Park clean.
Removal defacement or damage in any form of objectsor plants, or the disturbance of animals is strictly prohibited.

The 60 years KNP comemorative sticker issued in 1986 had :

Same as above

The Coastal National Parks had:

Same as above.

The Kruger National Park had:

Stay on the road.
Stay in the vehicle.
Don't feed the animals.
Adhere to the genral speed limit - 40 kh.

The Kalahari Gemsbok Park had:
Same as above.


The Hardap in Soputh West Africa had :
Speed limit 40K.M./H SPEED LIMIT.
Keep your Park Clean.
PREVENT FIRE.

About eighteen months ago I proposed to SANPARKS that te stickers again be implemented.

I was thanked, it was thought to be quite a good idea, it was going to be put to Management.

A brown paper bag for waste is handed out by the security guard upon entry.

A glossy one page document is now attached to your entrance documentation when entering the Park, :

On the front:

LITTER KILLS

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK IS A NATURAL HERITAGE FOR THE NATION AND FUTURE GENERATIONS

LITTER IS FOREIGN TO ANIMALS

PLEASE CAN WE ALL MAKE AN EFFORT NOT TO SPOIL OUR PARADISE


and on the reverse
RULES OF
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

with
FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE (WITHOUT ANY PART OF YOUR BODY PROTRUDING THROUGH THE WINDOW OR SUNROOF)

LITTER POSES DANGER TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT IS 50KM/H ON TAR ROADS AND 40KM/H ON GRAVEL ROADS.SPEEDING CAN KILL ANIMALS AND HUMANS.

! FAILURE TO OBSERVE THESE RULES IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.

24hr Emergency Call Centre Number +27 13 735 4325

What more has to be done other than the above - my opinion is:

Zero tolerance, increased, VISIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT, make it a condition of entrance/staying over - that should one be caught outside your vehicle or littering or speeding, you are summonsed to appear in court, with no admission of guilt to be accepted and you are escorted out of the Park, your accomodation reservation is forfeited with NO refund, and if you are an employee, your right to drive in the Park is withdrawn, and handled as per the visitors with a formal disciplinary action taken. Should you be a contractor, the vehicle is impounded and the driver is banned from the Park, the owner can make arrangements to fetch the vehicle and handle the Law procedings.

Some clever speedster, litterer may now come and argue about the principle of "being innocent untill proven guilty in court", tough for you.