The Zandvlei Trust at Work
Zandvlei is an important conservation area and natural asset within easy reach of many local schools. The ZVT supports environmental education because we believe it is vital that young people – many in our area living in sub-economic or other challenging conditions –be introduced to this natural wonder on their doorsteps in order that they will be inclined to protect it.
Those of us who live around Zandvlei are particularly privileged to have access to a rich variety of natural resources – an estuary, a lake and a Nature Reserve as well as mountains, the ocean and beautiful beaches all of which are affected by the activities of humans. However, not everyone living here is lucky enough to have access to all this.
Issues including urban development, pollution, litter etc threaten the animals and plants living in the area, most visibly so in the canalised rivers upstream. For many, this will be there only, or main, vision of what “nature” looks like. We therefore believe it is critical we reach out to the youth so that they get the opportunity learn to value of understanding and protecting the Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve.
We have close bonds with the Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve educational staff, as well as organisations such as FundaFynbos, a branch of the larger FynbosLife organisation, and Nature Connect. Some aspects of courses include a wetlands programme, leopard toad awareness lessons, water safety, kayaking, litter and recycling of waste, planting fynbos, food gardens and composting, and hiking in the local mountains.
Although conditions continually change, we regularly reach out to various schools and community enterprises such as libraries and community centres, in order to bring them into the broader educational circle.ZVT educational fundraising efforts are primarily directed to funding transport and food for schoolgoers on various holiday environmental educational outings.
Our efforts to support environmental education are only possible with your support. Help us continue this vital work.