Newsletter May 2024
In this issue;
- Fernkloof Learning in Nature with Okkie Smuts and Masakhane Primary Schools
- Annual Ecology Program for Grade 10 Class of Hermanus High
- Public Talk
- Precious Peatlands Expo at Okkie Smuts
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Fernkloof – Learning in Nature!
Grade 5 and 6 learners of Okkie Smuts and Masakhane Primary School, observed fascinating processes of the Fynbos plants and their pollinators, in action!
Hosted by Whale Coast Conservation, 30 learners from each primary school hiked the winding Blue Route of Fernkloof Nature Reserve in three groups of 10, guided by an experienced Fernkloof Monitor, to three points along the path. At each point, they would stop to meet with one of Whale Coast Conservation’s waiting staff members, to identify and learn about the incredible four groups of Fynbos plants, right before their very eyes! For some students, this was the first time they had ever visited Fernkloof – what a very special learning experience!
Volunteer Hazel Gillion focussed on the endemic Proteas, of which the King Protea is our national plant! Hazel pointed out the pollinators and explained the pollination process of proteas, which the learners could see happening on the various surrounding protea bushes and flowers. Further on, Shirley Mgoboza spoke about Ericas. They come in an extensive range of tubular shapes, sizes, and colors, and of the 800 species in the whole world, 600 are here in the Fynbos Biome, which makes them the plant group responsible for the enormous biodiversity of the Fynbos! Shirley also outlined the pollinators of Ericas like bees, butterflies, sunbirds: animals, and insects with a long tongue or proboscus.
Restios are the third group and are distinctive to the Fynbos vegetation. Stephanie Vegter told the learners about the pollination process of Restios, and also about photosynthesis of Restio plants taking place in their thin, green, chlorophyll-filled stems. Down at the visitor center, Sheraine van Wyk covered the fourth plant group: the indigenous Trees.
She told the students to take note of the high mountain slopes, where the soil was thin and free of trees, compared with the deeper and moist soils of the river banks further down, where trees of multiple species flourished and grew tall! She also explained that the many land SLIPS (not land SLIDES, which are located in regions of great tectonic activity), a result of the heavy rainfall on the 24th of Feb, began in the gorges and folds of the mountains, because the soil was already loose and wet.
Finally, the learners sat down for a light picnic lunch on the sunny, green lawns of the Fernkloof Gardens, and everyone munched a marshmallow egg as an Easter treat!
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Grade 10 Ecology Program!
Whale Coast Conservation presented its annual ecology program for the Grade 10 Class of Hermanus High School, at Fernkloof Nature Reserve. WCC’s Sheraine van Wyk and her team of colleagues and volunteers conducted the 2-day course, which consisted of theory lessons in plant anatomy, examining plant specimens under a light microscope, practical experiments in transpiration rates in plants, a fynbos walk-and-talk along the winding paths of the beautiful nature reserve, and a trip to Grotto Beach for hands-on beach ecology!
At Fernkloof meeting hall, the class was split into three small groups, to learn about plant anatomy. Morgan Hendricks presented plant root structure and function, showing the learners some remarkable root hairs and vascular tissue under a light microscope!
Stephanie Vegter demonstrated the structure and function of the stem to transport both water and food. John Cowan demonstrated the structure and function of the leaves in transpiration.
The Grade 10’s then hiked up the mountain to meet with Sheraine van Wyk, Shirley Mgoboza and Judy McFarlane to learn about the ecology of three of the fynbos plant groups: Restios, Ericas, and Proteas. The surrounding fynbos held some spectacular examples of the plant groups and their fascinating features, as well as their beautiful pollinators in action! The outdoor classroom was alive with the details!
In the afternoon, the learners visited Grotto Beach, a perfect example of a blue flag beach, as explained by Lauren Rainbird. The learners studied the ecology of a sandy beach and safely handled a few of the key species of the beach. First, Shirley Mgoboza threw dead fish bait onto the wet sand, and everyone watched in excitement as plough snails (Bullia sp.) churned their way up to the surface to scavenge. Hazel Gillion encouraged the learners as they dug up many small white mussels (Donax sp.), and observed the filter-feeding taking place in a temporary container. Finally, the class was delighted with the exhibit by I&J Abalone Farm, featuring live abalone which they investigated up close! Many thanks to Amanda Staden and Sanele Qondani, who brought the abalone exhibit from Gansbaai for the learners to view! The learners also had an opportunity to plant their own plants with their teacher, Mrs Wiegman.
The following day, the Grade 10 class, facilitated by Sheraine van Wyk and Stephanie Vegter, participated in experiments that measured the rate of transpiration in plants, under different experimental conditions of heat, humidity, and wind.
The 2-day ecology course was rounded off with a practical workshop to enhance life and leadership skills in the young ecologists! We wish them all well for the future!
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Public Talk on Peatlands
Talk by Dr Alanna Rebelo on the nature and ecological importance of peatlands.
During April Whale Coast Conservation was privileged to host Dr Alanna Rebello who explained what peatlands are and described their ecological importance. Her talk focused on the local peatland in the Onrus River, why it burned in 2019, how the fire was eventually doused and what can we do now to prevent further degradation of the remaining peatland. To find out more read the article written by Dr Anina Lee by clicking here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uSLIeaBQLTCXAM2_pdIChFwPz1fhVD81/view?usp=drive_link
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Precious Peatlands
Our first-ever Peatlands Expo was held on April 26th at Okkie Smuts Laerskool in Stanford!
Sheraine introduced the students to Peatlands by answering two questions: What is Peat? And, what are Peatlands?
Learners then split into groups and visited five stations:
They learned about peatlands as resilience to climate change by John Cowen. Shirley Mgoboza told the learners about the Peatlands of the world and peatlands in South Africa and the benefits of peatlands to local community. Judy McFarlane talked about peatlands as being water sinks and storage. Finally, Anina Lee covered peatlands and fire and touched on the recent Peatland burns, in 2019, which occurred much closer to home – right in Hemel en Aarde Valley!
We plan to hold similar Expos, on the topic of our very Precious Peatlands, at other schools in the Gansbaai and Hermanus areas.
If you’d like to find out more about the Peatlands, you can read an article on peatlands written by Anina Lee by clicking on this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uSLIeaBQLTCXAM2_pdIChFwPz1fhVD81/view?usp=drive_link
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