The Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) is threatened, with fewer than 1800 individuals in the wild, and is listed nationally as critically endangered. It is endemic to South Africa, with the largest proportion of the population found in the Eastern Cape province. Out of a small village called Hogsback, Dr Steve Boyes formed the @capeparrotproject in 2009. The aim of the project is to conserve the Cape Parrot by using research to fill-in key knowledge gaps, as well as by partnering with local communities for habitat restoration. We are a BirdLife Species Guardian and as instrumental stakeholders, our work is closely aligned with the Cape Parrot and Mistbelt Habitat Conservation Action Plan that we helped produce in 2019. To find out more and to see how you can get involved with The Cape Parrot Project and Wild bird trust, visit our campaign page.

In the battle of ‘Cape Parrot Project v The Bramble’, the CPP team needs to work smart and one of the challenges we encounter is the field gear we wear in this titanic battle! The Cape Parrot Project (CPP) is a non-profit, public benefit organisation that seeks to conserve and protect the critically endangered Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) as well as its habitat and other species within these ecosystems, while supporting surrounding communities. Part of the work we do is restoration of critical Cape Parrot habitat with a focus on alien vegetation management, the encouragement of natural regeneration and planting of indigenous species. One of the hardest species to eradicate is the bramble or Rubus sp. with its thicket-like growth and thorny branches. We have been fortunate enough to work with Brownie Points over the past year and, through The Good Economy project, boost our field teams by an extra 12 members - thereby creating additional jobs in our local communities. While we were able to purchase PPE and uniforms, including rain gear, for the teams, we realise that we need to up the ante in the bramble battle and acquire tougher rainsuits for those (many) rainy days in our part of the world. Rubberised rain suits are the way to go! Please let us know if you are able to assist with a financial or in-kind donation. Needs: = 12 team members x 1 rain suit @ R418 TOTAL: R5016 = 12 team members x tough leather gloves @ R200 TOTAL R2400 R7416

Children of the Amathole area, in and around Hogsback, are within one of the strongholds of the critically endangered Cape Parrot and are each year invited by the Cape Parrot Project (CPP) to attend environmental camps. The CPP, a project of the Wild Bird Trust, seeks to conserve and protect South Africa’s only endemic parrot and one of the ways in which this is done is through educational outreach and the forming of collaborative partnerships. Camps are held in partnership with another local NPO, Hobbiton-on-Hogsback which has been in the business of reaching children with life skills and practical experience (read fun!) for over 70 years. As we have invited children to the camps which includes a ‘parrot’ walk and other hikes to some of the scenic waterfalls and forests of our area, we noticed that many of them have to walk in school shoes or slip slops. We started a programme to ensure that each child receives a pair of sturdy walking shoes at the camp opening – not only for camp walks but for use back home too. We would like to ensure that the children attending in 2023 also receive this important item that is so often taken for granted. Can you help with a partnership (if you are a shoe manufacturer or retailer) or with direct funding?