Young Wetland Warriors take action for conservation

Pupils from Silvermine Academy are making a difference in their community by participating in the Wetland Warriors programme, an initiative run by local non-profit Guardians of the Deep.

This programme allows students to engage in environmental conservation efforts while expanding their scientific knowledge beyond the classroom.

Guardians of the Deep director Sally Sivewright said this term the focus is on the Sun Valley Wetland, where pupils are involved in fieldwork, data collection, and citizen science projects that contribute to both local and international conservation efforts.

A visit to the wetland last week, Thursday February 13, had pupils explore the wetland fringe and observe first-hand how alien vegetation from urban gardens is creeping into the habitat and how man-made structures have altered the natural dune shifting system.

"The science enrichment offered by Guardians of the Deep takes the students out of the classroom, into the field, and submerges them in the topic being covered," said Megan Webster, education director at Guardians of the Deep.

She said applying knowledge to create something new is the highest tier and the ultimate goal of science education.

"Giving students the autonomy to take a space, apply what they have learned, and then create a better space as a result should be the ultimate goal of science in education. It certainly is with Guardians of the Deep," she said.

The programme operates on a weekly basis, with students meeting at Silvermine Academy before heading to the wetland.

Activities include cleaning up litter, adding to species lists, making observations through notes and sketches, and discussing key conservation concepts.

Silvermine Academy is the only school running the science enrichment programme, but Ms Sivewright said that it is available to other schools in the area.

"We used to run the programme free of charge at Bhongolethu Foundation and after-school programmes at Ukhanyo and Kleinberg primary schools. They also benefited from our holiday programmes. At the moment, we are applying for more funding so that these non-paying schools can continue to benefit," she said.