Blesbokspruit is a green gem and treasure situated in Springs for the benefit of its residents.
This green belt of wetland, off Welgedacht Road and opposite Slovo Park, is situated between townships and old mine dumps.
It joins up with the Ramsar site of the Marievale Bird Sanctuary, south of Springs.
The men of the Grootvaly Blesbokspruit Conservation Trust, responsible for the environmental education centre, Mike Wood (administration) and Patrick Ganda (environmental education officer) say this green belt is there for the use, enjoyment and education of the people and children of Springs.
They teach mainly schoolchildren and both say it usually is quiet during the school holidays.
They have more than 5 000 schoolchildren from various schools who visit this centre each year,
Ganda provides environmental education and creates an experience in the “wild” to the visiting groups.
He teaches the children about birds and animals, as well as waste management while they do a two-hour walk in the vlei area.
Ganda will use this school holiday time to teach the community of Slovo Park about waste management.
Both men invite stay-at-home families to visit their facilities during the holiday season.
For the bird lovers and photographers there are two bird hides with picturesque views of the bird-residents of the spruit.
Ganda says there are 120 species of birds that visit and live in the vlei.
There is an access path for disabled visitors, as well as three braai areas and a conference centre that can be booked.
Call Ganda on 078 118 5728 to book a picnic spot during the holiday or a visit to the spruit in the new year.
