1. Blending bush and stars

2. Chris Engelbrecht University of Johannesburg

3. Southern Africa draws a few million visitors to nature reserves per annum Southern Africa contains millions of km 2 covered by dark skies at night NASA

4. Southern Africa draws a few million visitors to nature reserves per annum Southern Africa contains millions of km 2 covered by dark skies at night Communicate astronomy to the public in nature reserves

5. ~ 50 professional astronomers in SA ~ 100 amateur astronomers in SA A few million tourists per annum ?

6. ~ 50 professional astronomers in SA ~ 100 amateur astronomers in SA A few million tourists per annum ~ 1 000 trained nature communicators work in game reserves

7. ~ 50 professional astronomers in SA ~ 100 amateur astronomers in SA A few million tourists per annum ~ 1 000 trained nature communicators work in game reserves The Skyranger course

8. Indigo Bay mozambiqueaccommodation.co.za roamingafrica.com

9. The Kgalagadi

10. Northern Botswana

11. Olifants Camp (KNP) Skukuza Kruger National Park

12. Gauteng Waterberg

13. 2006 – 2010: 5 full courses in reserves 2 truncated courses in a city-edge resort 3 “toolbox” courses in reserves

14. 2006 – 2010: 5 full courses in reserves 2 truncated courses in a city-edge resort 3 “toolbox” courses in reserves game rangers: camp management: game-drive stargazingcamp-based astronomy shows

15. FGASA etc: existing courses

16. Content: Part 1 - the mechanics of the sky

17. Content: Part 1 - the mechanics of the sky

18. Content: Part 2 - the content of the universe ESO/VLT

19. Content: Part 3 - folklore

20. Content: Part 4 - practicalities Orion telescopes Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

21. Content: Part 4 - practicalities Astrovisulas.com.au/Wil Tirion

22. Assessment goals: - estimation of RA and Dec of objects at night - use of charts to locate faint objects - rapid acquisition of these objects with telescope - entertaining with the constellations - entertaining with folklore - entertaining with modern astronomy Enable presenters to communicate with authority

23. Learning in the Kgalagadi

24. Outcomes:

25. The average ranger / guide will entertain ~ 500 people with the night sky per annum Since late 2006, about 50 rangers have been trained

26. Follow-up …..