As 2024 draws to a close, we look forward to another year in your company.
In this issue:
- Hawston Paddavlei Project
- Hawston Primary Eco-Group
- Opening Paddavlei Path
- Applewood school eco-camp
- What A Wonderful World Books 1&2
- TS Birkenhead Annual Prize Giving
- Festive Break
Hawston Paddavlei Project
Restoration of the beautiful Paddavlei in Hawston still continues. During November, the project employed three youths to cut reeds at the picnic area. This initiative will keep the picnic area clear so that the community is able to use it for recreation of the festive season.
The youths did not only do a great job, they also received skills training in the use of brush cutters and in-field safety. The area now looks spectacular and, from the bench, has a great view over the Paddavlei.
We previously reported on the eco-group that was established at Hawston Primary School. We are thrilled that they kept their enthusiasm on a high during the whole of November. They assemble at the Paddavlei every Thursday after school and participate in various conservation activities.
They committed to cleaning litter in the Paddavlei, but soon added more activities. In addition to clean-ups, they cleared alien invasive plants, mostly Port Jackson. They enjoyed using the plant poppers to demolish the aliens, and replaced them by planting three milkwood trees. These can be seen at the start of the walkway near Bush Street.
The young aspirant scientists also assisted on one occasion with testing the water for pollutants that may be entering the Paddavlei via the water pipe that empties into the vlei.
They had so much fun while doing all these activities and learned a lot about nature and the importance of conserving it.
Paddavlei Walking Path Opening event
Whale Coast Conservation, Overstrand Municipality Environmental section and the Paddavlei Eco Group were proud to introduce the first completed portion of the Paddavlei Walking Path to the Hawston community on Thursday, 28 November.
Community members, PEG members, WCC staff, Hawston Primary Eco-group, the principal of Hawston Primary, Mr. Pedro, and Counsellor Afrika attended the opening of the path.
The ceremony started with a speech from the PEG executive recounting the history of Paddavlei and why they are working hard to restore it with the help of Whale Coast Conservation. In his speech, the ward counsellor also praised the eco-club initiative and all involved.
The Paddavlei is part of a wetland corridor that stretches from Hawston, through the Whale Coast Nature Reserve to the Vermont salt pan.
The guests were escorted along the path from Cattle gate side to the Bush Street end of the path.
The day ended with a cake and cool drink celebration at the newly opened picnic area on the Paddavlei.
Applewood Eco-camp
The traditional eco-camp for Applewood school learners was once again held in Betty’s Bay during November. The camp focused on plants and flowers and reinforces work that the learners do as part of their curriculum on plant and flower parts.
Much time was spent in microscope work exploring the inner parts of lowers and their function.
They also visited Dawid’s kraal river to see the fascinating Palmiet plants and found out about their amazing ability to filter water and engineer a river bed through sediment trapping. The learners took water samples and returned to camp to do some water tests.
The camp ended with a talk about chameleons and a night walk to see these favourite reptiles. They were happy to see many!
What A Wonderful World!
Books 1 and 2
These wonderful collections of stories about nature are the ideal gifts for children of all ages (and their parents and grandparents).
If you like the articles on the back page of the Village News, then look no further.
Copies of both Books 1 and 2 are available from Anina Lee at the special festive price of R200 each. Contact Anina on 083 242 3295 by phone or on WhatsApp. Happy reading!
TS Birkenhead Annual Prize Giving
The Hawston Sea Cadets have once again had a successful year in nurturing and training the Sea Cadets and we are seeing the fruit of their work paying off. We wish them well as the close this year with a tribute to the successes of individual cadets and the group as a whole. We also acknowledge the tremendous financial support received from Southern Right Charters in enabling the Commanding Officer, Noel Dreyer, to achieve his aspiration for the Sea Cadets.
Whale Coast Conservation wishes them well as they celebrate on Saturday where our own Sheraine van Wyk is the guest speaker, and they have some ‘serious fun’ in Frank’s Forest in the Whale Coast Nature Reserve to end the year!
Festive Break
The GreenHouse will close on 13 December and re-open again on 13 January 2025.
As we enter the festive season, we extend our gratitude to you, our dedicated members, for your unwavering commitment to protecting our planet’s precious biodiversity. Your passion and support have been the foundation of our achievements this year, from restoring vital habitats to ensuring the survival of endangered species.
This season reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of preserving nature for future generations. Let’s carry this spirit of hope and renewal into the New Year, continuing our mission to safeguard our special area’s incredible natural heritage.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and nature-filled festive season. Together, we can make an even greater impact in the year ahead!
The WCC Team
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