Usapho Indlu's Green Club in nature's classroom

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS - Learners from the Usapho Indlu Green Club in Thembalethu recently visited the Garden Route Botanical Garden for their first environmental education outing, hosted with the support of the Landmark Foundation.

The club is newly registered with the Landmark Foundation. The outing introduced the children to the Green Passport Junior Ranger Programme, using nature as a classroom to help them understand the connections between living organisms and their environment.

“Through the Ecological Walk, the children explored how leaves, soil, water, decaying matter, trees, forests and rivers are all connected, and how every part of an ecosystem has a role to play,” said Monica Vaccaro from the Landmark Foundation.

One of the lessons they learned was that the river flowing through the Botanical Garden is the same river running through their own community in Thembalethu. “This helped the children understand how the natural environment extends beyond the garden and forms part of their everyday lives.”

The learners also learned about two indigenous trees and the Silver Bush, known as imphepho. They were shown how to take a cutting carefully for study, reinforcing the importance of treating living plants with respect and caring for the natural environment.

Endinako Majodina, Deneo Dumezweni and Anoyolo Plaatjies enjoying the clear, cool river water. Photo: Elize Britz

At the end of the outing, the children were divided into groups to discuss what they had learned and test how much they remembered. They concluded the day with a celebratory dance.

Vaccaro thanked Kyra Camacho and Anele Sibusiswe Ngema, two intern rangers from the botanical garden, for leading and supporting the group.

“Also thank you to Usapho Indlu for taking the initiative to provide environmental education to children who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities.”

A happy group after receiving their green passports from Monica Vaccaro. Photo: Elize Britz