On Wednesday 18 May the Kloofendal Ecological Centre officially opened its displays for the first time, thanks to an amicable agreement between the Friends of Kloofendal (FroK) and Joburg City Parks & Zoo.
Both parties as well as primary school pupils, friends and supporters were present as the exhibit was launched. The exhibit launch and opening of the Ecological Centre follows years of back-and-forth rhetoric between the two parties regarding the correct use of the facility. The move has been a decade in the making.
FroK vice chairman Neville Roberts and City Parks’ Louise Gordon signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in March to the effect. By agreement, FroK will have full use of the centre built in the reserve in 2006, which is property of City Parks, in exchange for hosting 10 educational sessions for pupils from underprivileged schools per year.
The exhibit launched this week features specimens of insects, butterflies, reptiles and arachnids found in Kloofendal Nature Reserve, as well as displays of information, photographs and illustrations of mining activity on the grounds in 1884. Books on critters and birds are also available.
FroK’s educational programme, developed over years of its existence alongside qualified guides, already ties in with current school curriculums and will be presented in this centre going forward. FroK has even developed worksheets for the children to complete after each session.
It is their vision to open the centre not only for school field trips but also over weekends for those who frequent the reserve, or are just plain curious, Karin Spottiswoode said. The Spottiswoodes urge nature enthusiasts familiar with the reserve to volunteer their time over weekends, in order for the centre to be open as often as possible.
After a short presentation and acknowledgements were made, City Parks’ executive manager for business development, Busi Mahlaba led the ribbon cutting ceremony.
For more information on viewing the exhibit, contact Karin on 079 693 5608 or 011 674 2980. Alternatively, visit FroK on facebook or their official website at www.kloofendalfriends.org.za
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