LEARNERS from Ocean View Montessori School recently donated two owl boxes that were installed at Bridgevale Park and Nature Reserve in Durban North.
They hope the boxes will create habitats for these nocturnal birds and inspire other children to help with conservation.
Bridgevale is looked after by the non-profit organisation Enviro Fixers Durban North that maintains and uplifts the park through community funding.
According to co-principal, Lucy Cronje, they hope the boxes will attract a Spotted Eagle Owl which has been spotted in the area.
“Earlier this year, for our spring walk, we raised R14 000 towards conservation. We donated R6 000 to the running costs of Enviro Fixers, purchased two owl boxes and donated the balance of the funds to the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage. We did our homework over the owl boxes which were made in Cape Town. For the species of owl we are hoping to attract, the boxes require a specific type of design that is quite different from many of the other owl boxes.
“We even made a very apt sign, ‘Whoo Lives Here’ for the nocturnal bird. As a school, we often utilise this space within Bridgevale Park and we’ve seen first-hand the amount of hard work the Enviro Fixers members have put into it. We have to preserve our green spaces as there aren’t many of them around anymore. For us, Bridgevale is a hidden jewel of Durban North, and a space that we are privileged to be able to visit often with our learners. We have a fantastic relationship with them and we hope other residents and schools will also make use of the space in the future,” Cronje said.
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