GEORGE NEWS - The new manager of the Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG), Klaus Schröder, loves a challenge.
Just as well, because this non-profit entity has many - including making the garden financially self-sufficient and wiping out the monthly deficit which is eating into the capital reserves.
He is introducing a deposit/depot area for recyclable material that will generate an income.
Henque Waste will collect recyclable materials such as tins, plastic, paper and cartons.
Very few people know this, but George has its own plastic recycling plant, Outeniqua Plastics, where plastic is not only reclaimed but also turned into black bags for nurseries and black municipal bin bags for household waste.
His plans also include a Scent Garden where a collection pelargoniums will take pride of place, two mosaic mandalas made by volunteer Jonel Goosen and a permaculture vegetable garden.
Priorities
Since starting at the garden he has compiled a list of priorities and is steadily working on projects that will sustain life in the garden.
One that he is particularly proud of is the implementation of a ram pump. It is a simple, motorless device that uses hydraulics to pump water at low flow rates. The pump is used to take the mountain stream water to where it is needed.
Schröder, who grew up in George and has a BSc Honours degree from NMU in Environmental Geography and Environmental Management, joined the GRBG team in May.
The centre will be the venue for the forthcoming Science Exhibition for schools to be held on 7, 8, 10 and 11 August between 09:00 and 13:30.
Schools interested in attending can contact Karen Claxton on 071 554 5587 or at claxtonkaren@yahoo.co.uk to book.
ARTICLE & PHOTO: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
