WESSA dispels Treasure Beach educational gem closure rumours
Treasure Beach will be operated as the marine campus
SPECULATION that the Wildlife and Environment Society South Africa’s (Wessa) Treasure Beach office has closed down after staff were retrenched has raised concern among the Bluff community who have for many years used the facility for educational purposes and basked in its beauty as it overlooked the ocean from its Marine Drive base.
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WESSA human resources manager Sarah Alcock dispelled the closure rumours but confirmed that retrenchments had taken place, due to the centre running at a loss.
“It did not close down, rather Treasure Beach has recently been redirected to fall under the management team of the WESSA uMngeni Valley e-STEAM hub. Treasure Beach will be operated as the marine campus, focusing on the many education opportunities within the coastal habitats found in Durban and its surrounding areas,” she said.
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Alcock promised that, with exciting developments taking place at both centres, the new and revamped education programmes being offered will be a fantastic proposition for all schools, universities and privately funded groups looking for a curriculum-based education option focusing on the marine environment.
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“We would also like to announce a series of planned Bluff community events organised by WESSA Treasure Beach from the 5 to 8 June to celebrate both World Environment Day and World Oceans Day. We will be conducting a series of beach clean-ups and education programmes over this period to create awareness about ocean pollution and the protection of our precious coastlines and they will still host school groups for holiday/educational tours” added Alcock.
Any enquiries for these programmes or the community event can be directed to 033-330-3921 or email reservations@wessa.co.za
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