ENVIROMENTAL
EDUCATION
ZWARTKOPS CONSERVANCY EDUCATION & RECYCLING PROGRAM IN TOWNSHIP AREAS
EDUCATION
MASIFUNDISANE (Let’s teach one another)
These are our Wednesday lessons for Gr 6 pupils from township primary schools. This has been going on for over 20 years and is a joint venture between Zwartkops Conservancy and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Environmental Management). The Zwartkops Conservancy has trained 2 Environmental Educators from Motherwell (who ZC pays) to teach the lessons, so pupils can be taught in their mother tongue. We teach approx 2000 pupils per year. Each Wednesday 70 pupils are taken on 1 of the following
ALOE RESERVE TEACH/TRAIL
This is a 2Km easy trail in the Bluewater Bay area. It is recommended from April to the end of September. The best time is June/July as the Aloes are in bloom then. The teach/trail takes about 2hrs. Pupils will learn about plants & animals, birds, local history, the Swartkops Estuary, the importance of nature reserves, subtropical thicket, global warming, bio diversity etc.
FLAMINGO TEACH/TRAIL
This is a more difficult 2Km trail in the Zwartkops Nature Reserve which is situated below Motherwell & opposite Redhouse. It is recommended from April to the end of September when the weather is cooler. It takes about 2 hrs. Pupils will learn about plants & animals, birds, fossils, the Swartkops Estuary, the importance of nature reserves, subtropical thicket, global warming, salt pans, bio diversity etc.
MUDBANK EXPLORATION
This takes place at Dufor Park, Amsterdamhoek on the banks of the Swartkops Estuary. It is recommended during the 1st & 4th terms when it is warm. It takes about 2 hrs. Pupils learn about the animals, birds & plants associated with the estuary. They also learn about estuaries, tides, pollution, global warming, fishing, bait collection etc.
After each of these lessons pupils are taken to the Motherwell Stormwater Canal where they learn about stormwater canals, litter, pollution & how it affects our health, how sewage pipes get blocked & how to use flush toilets correctly. They also see the artificial wetland at the bottom of the canal which helps to clean the water before it enters the Swartkops Estuary.
Any of the above lessons are given free to township school provided we have funding for transport.
ZC MOTHERWELL ENVIRO. CLUB
At our request our Enviro. Educator Patricia Ntabeni started this club in 2011 to help keep youngsters off the street & give them something constructive & educational, but also a fun thing to do. With our assistance she taught them to do traditional singing & dancing, but also brought in an environmental aspect to whatever they did. They then started doing plays with a message about saving the environment & not littering etc. In addition they do cleanups, tree planting, gardening & recycling.
NATIONAL MARINE WEEK
Annually in October for over 10 years we have assisted the Dept. of Environmental Affairs by taking part in this. At present it is held at Bayworld and together with a number of environmental organizations we present short lessons to mainly township pupils. ZC teaches about the importance of estuaries and promotes recycling. We usually teach about 700 pupils during the week.
RECYCLING/ANTI LITTER CAMPAIGN
PRESENTATION “MAKING MONEY/CRAFT FROM RUBBISH”
This is an hour long talk /demonstration on craft items that can be made from litter. It is given so that groups can see what things are made in the workshops (see below).
WORKSHOP ON “MAKING MONEY/CRAFT FROM RUBBISH”
This is where craft items are made from litter. The group of up to 60 adults or pupils is divided into 5 groups with a facilitator for each. Each group is taught how to make a different item which they will be able to teach to the rest of the class another time. One group learns how to cut up a plastic bag & crochet with it; another learns what can be made from 2litre Coke bottles; another how to make beads from paper; another how to make butterflies from paper & the last how to make rag mats from orange bags. If the group has not seen the talk/demo it can be included. The workshops are facilitated by our Motherwell teachers and the Noziqhamo ladies from the Motherwell Buy Back Centre – all of whom the ZC pays. The ZC provides transport & organizes the event. About 400 people are taught per year.
NOZIQHAMO ART & CRAFT & RECYCLING WORKING AT THE MOTHERWELL BUY BACK CENTRE
The ZC has been involved with the establishment of the Motherwell Buy Back Centre for recycling since its inception in 1999. 2 of the present Noziqhamo ladies were there then. The ZC has continued all this time in assisting them when & wherever possible. This involves twice weekly visits to the centre to take recycling to them & collect orders to be delivered to town for them. The ZC involves Noziqhamo in any possible events & transports them. Towards the end of 2017 an effort has been made to revitalize the centre, which is now run by a Co Op of the ladies and Fikile Desi (a founder member). Companies like EnviroServ, Castle Crane Hire & PlasticsSA have helped with this.
Jenny Rump 041-466 1815 / 082 853 0700
Zwartkops Conservation Officer