The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa’s (WESSA) Educational Resource Centre at Umbogavango, which lies within the Umbogintwini Industrial Complex housing 13 major chemical companies, continues to be the focus for various environmental groups.
These include the Upper South Coast branch of the society, birding and rambling groups, as well as a special programme to bring young children from rural schools in the Toti area for a morning of presentations, followed by nature trails through the reserve.
“More than 60 school parties have visited the centre during the past year, bringing the total number of visitors exploring the reserve and its facilities to close on 2,000,” said project co-ordinator, Chris Skinner.
A wide variety of teaching material is available at the centre provided by WESSA and the morning courses run are in line with the syllabus for primary school pupils, with particular emphasis on the protection of wetlands and the conservation of the indigenous tree and birdlife within the reserve.
Over 200 birds and 100 indigenous trees are found within the 36 hectare reserve as well as a variety of small mammals and snakes.
“In order to run the centre and provide contact with the schools in the area, a third year intern from the department of nature conservation at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, Mphie Kunene is now employed,” said Chris.
“Her job involves making contact with the schools, arranging the visits, conducting the classes and supervising nature walks.”
In addition the student is involved in carrying out individual research projects for her diploma within the reserve and at Treasure Beach and assisting in judging those schools in the area that are part of a school beautification programme.
“This project was begun in 1992 by the department of environmental health and WESSA. Since then, government and municipal departments such as the department of agriculture and environmental affairs and Durban Solid Waste, as well as other organisation and companies, such as Heartlands Leasing, now known as Acacia, which manages the industrial estate, have come on board.
This year, as a result of generous funding from the AECI Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Trust, the educational programme will be expanded.
It is hoped that in addition to the school visits, the centre can become a research centre for students from various colleges and universities in the Durban region.
A number of the schools participating in the school beautification programme will also be invited to join the national eco-school programme run by WESSA.
Already there are three eco-schools in the area and it is hoped that 10 more schools will join this programme in the next 12 months,” said Chris.
