AS part of its outreach training programme, the Hillcrest Conservancy recently held a series of successful environmental awareness courses for local gardeners.
The programme is aimed at empowering the ordinary gardener with basic skills necessary to become part of the drive to protect natural wildlife areas from the spread of invasive plants and also to ensure that the garden complies, to some extent, with the alien plant control regulations. Chairman of the organisation, George Victor, said the course had a great influence on the gardeners, who are excited to put their new skills to use.
“The course dealt with the benefit of indigenous gardens, safety aspects associated with garden skills as well the identification and eradication of some of the common invasive alien plants found in our area. The gardeners were taught to become part of the grassroots solution in protecting our ever-diminishing natural areas and were inspired to continue with this work in their own areas,” he said.
Victor added that it was interesting to learn that many of the gardeners were aware of the problem and were keen to apply these skills at home, but needed a little guidance and support from their employers. “These could be possible grounds for future common discussion topics, given the increasing shortages of water and other resources. The course assisted in making the gardener aware of making the garden a safe working environment and one that the owners will be proud of,” said Victor.
