A group of Abbotts College Northcliff pupils recently joined pupils from a number of other schools and Generation Earth, to help eradicate two invasive plant species (blackjacks and verbena) from Albert’s Farm Conservancy against Northcliff Ridge.
The Conservancy is the second largest green lung in Johannesburg and has a high diversity of indigenous grass and shrubs species, as well as several dams, a wetland, marsh and an artesian spring.
“The reason we took part in the cleanup was to begin a sustained effort to rid the area of alien plants which have become invasive and which threaten the ecosystem and its long-term stability. The alien plants thrive in the nutrient-rich soil of the conservancy and they starve the indigenous grass and plant species of much-needed sunlight and water,” said Abbotts College Northcliff principal JC Engelbrecht.
The Abbotts College pupils collected more than 20 large bags full of alien weeds and hope that with their continued effort over the next few months, they can make a noticeable impact on the growth of the invasive aliens.
