If it’s September, it must be time for the spectacular annual Hermanus Flower and Eco Fair.
Did you know that Whale Coast Conservation has been the “eco” part of the Fair for the last 5 years? If you did not, now is the time to come and see what we do at the Fair; if you did know and yet did not visit the Fair you missed something special. We hope that we can count on your support this year.
The theme for the floral display by the Hermanus Botanical Society is the birds and the bees – or more seriously, the very serious topic of pollination. Many of the world’s agricultural crops are pollinated by bees, but bee populations across the world are in serious trouble.
In South Africa the situation is still sub-critical, but we need to take very good care of our local bees. For example, did you know that bumble bees also pollinate crops such as tomatoes, but their habitats are shrinking daily. They need dead wood to make their nests, but we have a compulsion to tidy up our gardens by removing dead wood and flowers. Dried inflorescences of aloes make ideal nests, so leave them on the plants and watch the ‘flight of the bumble bees’ and their unique “buzz pollination” methods in your garden. Or even better, put up a few nesting boxes for their convenience.
In line with the educational theme of the floral display, WCC will highlight the work we are doing in the schools and the community in the field of environmental awareness. We will have the bulk of our travelling sustainable energy expo on display, as well as information about the Whale Coast Eco-Schools programme. Come and see what is in store for Hermanus in the future in the form of wave energy; how much energy is wasted by different light sources, and how you can save energy and money in the home; how different kinds of potential energy can be used to propel toy cars; how the sun can make a cricket jump or row a boat; how the wind can move us; and how a teddy bear puts his life at risk for science. This is an opportunity for all WCC members to come and see in person what we have been up to over the past year and we would welcome a chat. And don’t forget the kids – they will love it.
The Hermanus Flower and Eco Fair takes place in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 September 2012 from 09h00 t0 17h00 daily.