Save the planet

We all want our children and the generation that comes after us to be happy, healthy, safe and secure. But for them to truly thrive, we must stop damaging the planet we live on – the world that nourishes us, protects us and sustains our lives.

It is crucial for us to protect the environmental systems we depend on and it all starts with educating the younger generation as a lack of knowledge can have some devastating effects.

Karin Spottiswoode who has been running Kloofendal Nature Reserve’s environmental hands-on programmes for the past 20 years said she had been growing increasingly concerned as local schools seemed not to provide for their learners to learn about nature and the environment outside their classrooms.

“We facilitate hands-on environmental education with qualified guides in a natural environment. Even though we cover whatever is part of the current primary and high school curriculum, the value of the knowledge stretches far beyond the classroom books and exams,” she said.

“We as humans are part of the environmental system, and the children need to know that. They have to connect with nature and start understanding how their actions can affect the earth in future. We need to create that responsibility among them, so they would know how to take care of our planet in order for the following generations to survive.”

Unfortunately local schools have yet to come on board with the initiative and that’s why Karin and the Kloofendal team have decided to appeal to the parents. According to Lee Douglas who is also part of the educational programmes, they want to inform parents of the importance of the Friends of Kloofendal Schools Programme.

This programme is focused on creating an awareness of and fascination with the natural environment, an understanding of how it functions, how we depend on it, and the need for us to respect and conserve it. It also supports teachers by enriching the learning experiences for all grades.

“We just have such a passion for conservation, and the fear that we are going to drive ourselves into the ground. And that’s why it’s so imperative to pass it on to our children who are ultimately going to have to live on this earth when we pass on,” Karin and Lee explained.

Children will not only learn about nature, but also about the various kinds of pollution and the effects it has on our ecosystem.

“We’ve so much crucial knowledge to offer and the Kloofendal Nature Reserve is the perfect place for the hands-on education we promote. We are eager to take the learners and teach them about nature, and that’s why we are asking the parents to step in and encourage this type of learning in schools,” Lee said.

Friends of Kloofendal (FroK) is an NGO focused on environment and community projects and activities within Kloofendal Nature Reserve.

For the sake of the planet’s future, we can make the decision to become involved and connected with nature. Fortunately, that choice is still up to us and hasn’t yet slipped from our fingers. We still have a little time left to make it, if we don’t squander it completely by delaying too long.

So if you want to be a part of that change, you can find out more by visiting www.kloofendalfriends.org.za or calling Lee on 082 938 3605.