Invasive plants cleared at Modderfontein Reserve
The project was the brainchild of Dylan Odgers from Harmelia Gardens Air Scouts.
At the beginning of August, the Modderfontein Conservation Society (MCS) committee embarked on a two-day project to de-alienate areas in the Modderfontein Reserve where alien vegetation raised its ugly head.
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The project was the brainchild of Dylan Odgers from Harmelia Gardens Air Scouts.
It was his community outreach plan to achieve his Springbok Scout rating.
Dylan’s mother, Allison, approached MCS chairperson Ellen van Dongen with his proposal to tackle this project
Ellen embraced the idea and, along with volunteer committee members, put in a plan that involved liaison with members of the Greater Modderfontein Property Umbrella Association, M&T and AECI Property Services.
It also called for the identification of areas in the greatest need of attention and coordination between the MCS and the scouting community.
The alien plants targeted were prickly pear, pampas grass and bugweed. All this was achieved with less than two weeks to prepare for the onslaught.
The plan called for Dylan to recruit volunteers from youngsters and parents in the Modderfontein area, plan work parties, brief volunteers on what was required and supervise the operation.
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“Over the weekend of August 6, we completed 223.5 hours of work in the reserve,” said Odgers.
“This was achieved by 22 adults and 24 Cubs, Scouts, guides and scholars. One-third or 71 hours were clocked up by Dylan’s Harmelia Gardens Air Scouts.
“We thank the MCS for allowing us this opportunity to work with them and hope that it is just the beginning of more to come,” she said.
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