The Nature Diary: The reuse of invasive alien plants and their benefits for communities 

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and David Mayson, CEO and senior consultant at Phuhlisani Non-Profit Company, about a groundbreaking Elandskloof community centre built from invasive alien plant materials, and how it supports sustainability and community upl…

The Nature Diary: How dangerous are spider bites?

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Tim Neary, Resident CSI & Nature Conservationist and Jarrod Todd, an enthusiastic member of South Africa’s Spider Club on how deadly spider bites can be after a Klerksdorp baker is said to have died following an 11-day battle after being bitten by a violin spider. Gugs Mhlung…

The Nature Diary: From Zooplankton to extinct cattle: Surprising DNA stories from the sea

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Dr Ashrenee Govender, Ecologist at Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) part of SAAMBR (South African Association for Marine Biological Research), about how scientists use genetic material from water and plankton sample…

The Nature Diary: Book Review: The Rift by Shem Compion 

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Tim Neary, Resident CSI & Nature Conservationist and Shem Compion, Author of The Rift. The Rift, which was created by volcanic processes, produced enormous geological textures and remarkable biotic variety. It touches every region of our world, extending from distant pasts int…

Pangolin augmented reality app launched

Kgomotso Modise chats to Tim Neary, Resident CSI & Nature Conservationist and Dr Karin Lourens, Co-director and Senior veterinarian at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital on this instalment of The Nature Diary.  In honour of World Pangolin Day, Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital an…

The Nature Diary: The Imba Gqiba campaign: Protecting the coastline through culture & community

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Mfundo Sipho Nxumalo, Member of Ukujabula Kwedlozi,  about the organisation’s work conserving trees and water bodies, empowering traditional healers to help protect the coastline, and spearheading community beach clean-up…

The Nature Diary: Inside Muthi and Myths from Africa and indigenous plant knowledge

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Prof Ben Eric Van Wyk, Plant taxonomist and Research Professor of Indigenous Plant Use at the University of Johannesburg,  about a book exploring the legends, heritage and myths surrounding muthi and indigenous plants, ho…

The Nature Diary: Exploring the world of Wetlands

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and  Dr Damian Walters, Wetland ecologist and Senior Conservation Manager at International Crane Foundation/ Endangered Wildlife Trust, discussing the importance of wetlands, their resistance and potential for restoration.  …

The Nature Diary: Learning to record bird calls and why it matters 

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and and Doug Newman, Electrical engineer & co-founder of Simply Birding about how to record bird sounds, the different variations in bird calls, and why these recordings are important.  Thank you for listening to a podcast f…

The Nature Diary: After 50+ years missing: The blue-tailed Sandveld lizard is back!

Gugs Mhlungu chats with Resident CSI and nature conservationist Tim Neary and Darren Pietersen, Herpetologist specialising in African reptiles and amphibians about the rediscovery of the blue-tailed Sandveld lizard, where it had been hiding, what it was up to, and its fascinating characteristics. …