WITZENBERG ECO CENTRE

STAGE 2:

Stage Two took place from the 8^th – 10^th of March. Close to 1000 learners in Grade 5 and 6 participated. The activities for this stage were based around plant propagation & the importance of the river ecosystem.

Grade 6 Activity:

The purpose of this exercise is was to investigate the health of the river ecosystem through interpretation. Marx-Lenin Nagan, from Cape Nature, presented an ecosystem’s habits, processes (i.e. water cycle, photosynthesis, food webs, etc.) , biodiversity & services (i.e. clean water).

During the group activity each group (5 - 7 learners) had 15 minutes to complete their investigation and provide their feedback. The activity also included a worksheet based around the life cycle of the mayfly.

The outcome of the exercise was to provide insight to the sensitivity and behaviour (breeding & feeding) of the mayfly, which also reflects the sensitivity of the river eco-system regarding pollution and disturbance of ecological processes (particularly from human activities). This activity also raised awareness on the importance of keeping rivers safe & healthy for both biodiversity and humans.

Incorporated with the activity, Michelle Klaasen from Witzenberg Municipality did a talk on National Water Week.  The theme “Water is Life” was highlighted through various examples such as saving water by fixing leaks and closing taps, the different uses of ‘grey water’ for gardening as well as washing car on a grass lawn.

Grade 5 Activity:

The Gr.5 learners learned how to propagate endemic pioneer plants for their river system. Endemic refers to plants that occur only in this area and are found nowhere else. All species were pioneer plants that grow fast and create a “shelter” for others lower growing plant species. The plants material was collected for the river ecosystems near the schools with the right genetics and to rehabilitate with riparian vegetation (plants that grow on the river beds).

The learners made cuttings of these species which were dipped into a root grow hormone. All the cuttings were assembled in trays per school and kept at Waverley Hills Fynbos nursery. The cuttings will go back to the learners for stage 3 where plants will be planted into recycled pots from a two litre bottles. These plants will be planted into the specific river systems as part of Stage 4 during Arbor month.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM STAGE 2

STAGE 3:

The theme for Stage 3 was ‘Re-use, Recycle & Reduce’, where learners used 2 litre plastic bottles as plant pots. Plants were transplanted into these pots and learners kept them at their homes to be replanted back into the river eco system during the final stage of the program in September. Grade 6 did a follow up Mini- SASS, assisted by Newill Dynaard, Marx- Lenin Nagan, Jeanne Gouws and Rodney Kissen from Cape Nature. Learners had to monitor for any changes (temperature & water condition) within the system from previous Mini-SASS.

An art competition was introduced, where learners had to put on paper what they learned during the previous stages through creative artwork. The criteria were explained together with a letter of good standing by Michelle Klaasen who also handed out materials for the competition to each of the schools. A judging panel was selected to assist in selecting the best art work based on the criteria. Prizes were awarded for each school during the “Big Brag” that took place on the 26th of September.

STAGE 4 & Big Brag :

The first week of September started off with Arbour Week where the program came to its final stage. In this stage all the Grade 5 children were asked to bring there plants to school for Arbour Week. Wolseley Tourism agreed to sponsor R5 for each child for their plant. Additional rehabilitation plants were supplied by Landcare (Department of Agriculture) which made it possible for all the children to participate as some children’s plants did not survive. With excellent spring weather, lovely flowers and children enjoying the educational tasks…what more could you want! Stage 4 was a huge success! Special thanks to Better Petroleum for supplying fuel for the facilitators to get to the schools. 

Prior to the Big Brag all the Grade 6 children’s artwork were on display at Waverley Hills where 3 local professional artists came to judge. There were two prize winners selected from each school. On the night of the Big Brag all the schools were given a chance to display their work in a portfolio format. There portfolios were judged by two outside individuals of from Cape Nature and from Landcare. The winning school won an all-paid camp for 22 childern with the Cape Leopard Trust! Congratulations to Laerskool Koue Bokkeveld for their superb work.

During the night one of the Principals shared the following,”…because the Green Fingers program was curriculum based, we were able to use some aspects in the exams and all the children excelled in it.”

Art sets were handed over to the winning Grade 6 children by Chancellor Hanekom from the Witzenberg Municipality. Plant identification books were handed over to the children whose plants grew the best from each school by Zaitoon Rabaney, Executive Director of the Botanical Society.

Once again, thank you to the sponsors; Waverley Hills, Witzenberg Municipality, Ceres Fruit Juice, Arum Lily Cottages, Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Nature and Landcare who made it all possible, but most of all to God who gave the strength to persist.