Learners celebrate World Wetlands Day

GEORGE NEWS - There are a few strikingly beautiful natural wetlands within the urban area of George. Regrettably, most are overlooked and degraded or neglected.

They however form an integral part of our ecosystems and nurturing them is now more important than ever.

In a period of dwindling water resources, droughts and ever increasing water demands by a burgeoning population, wetlands deserve greater protection.

World Wetlands Day on 2 February was celebrated by St Paul's Primary learners, who were most excited to discover the Meul River Wetland and realise that it is a unique, natural beauty spot right on their school's doorstep in Rosemoor, bordering George Industria.

The wetland is the source of the 9km long Meul River that flows past Blue Mountain Village Estate into the sea at Ballot's Bay.

Sadly, this wetland is subjected to the discharging of effluent from nearby factories, and is off-limits to children as it harbours homeless job-seekers who discard layers of clothes and trash. It is also on a very busy traffic route.

Children were given their first glimpse ever of the wetland, which included spotting a dragonfly (an indication that not all insects have been killed by pollutants in the river), sedges and reeds such as the Juncus and Cyperus species, and phragmites downslope.

Accompanied by members of the Garden Route Dam Action Group (Gardag), several water experts, members of George Municipality's law enforcement officers, and watchful teachers, learners were shown soil samples of the wetland.

Gardag volunteers also presented talks and sponsored a colouring-in competition on the day.

St Paul's principal Baron Calvert said wetlands form part of the environmental sciences curriculum of Grade 6 and 7 learners.

"We are so fortunate to have this living laboratory right on our doorstep. It is a biodiversity hotspot and breeding ground for a rich variety of birds, amphibians and aquatic plants."

Gardag thanked the sponsors for the event, Investec, Ride Life, Coimbra Cycle House, Pharaoh Art, Upstream Consulting, Veltwater Groundwater Specialists, Greenfire Enviro and Garden Route District Municipality.

Gardag gave a talk on wetlands at St Paul's Primary School.