School turns wetland into outdoor classroom
Hout Bay’s Ambleside School has rehabilitated a wetland opposite its field, transforming it into an outdoor classroom for pupils.
The Ambleside-Wessa School Wetland Project started by clearing invasive species from the banks of the Hout Bay River.
The school’s landscape gardener, Jackie Whales, who is also the chairperson of the Friends of the Hout Bay Rivers, said that when the water table dropped in January the school had started clearing in the wetland itself.
“We have always recognised the importance of trying to control the invasive species on our property and especially in the wetland,” Ms Whales said.
Canary creeper, lantana, castor oil bush and bulrushes were among the plants that were cleared. As part of their lessons, pupils have helped to plant restios, sedges and palmiet in the wetland, among the already existing arum lilies and carex growing there.
A few years ago, the school removed a large stand of Spanish reed and planted indigenous plants instead.
Ms Whales said the wetland project came about due to a R10 000 grant from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), which the school applied for back in 2021.
“We were given a grant of R10 000 to rehabilitate a section of our wetland, and part of the condition of the funding was to use the project to educate our pupils about the importance of wetlands, biodiversity and removal of invasive species,” Ms Whales said.
The area would need to be maintained, as the reeds that had been removed would continuously encroach, she said.
“Wetlands play a fundamental role in our ecosystem in that they provide a unique habitat for frogs, insects, plants and animals, reduce the risks of flooding, clean and filter water, store water for the summer and sequester carbon,” she said.
“The area is also a very useful and beautiful learning space where the children can learn about our aquatic species. The children have really enjoyed being involved in the project and learning about wetlands.”
Principal Gavin Smith said the project had been a “great tool” for teaching the pupils about wetlands and their value.
They had learnt about various invasive and indigenous species as well.
“Most importantly, though, the children learnt the importance of preserving our natural spaces for the sake of this planet and for generations to come. We hope to have planted the seeds of some future environmentalists,” Mr Smith said.
The wetland project formed part of the pupils’ nature-study lessons, he said.
“In these lessons, children study the fauna and flora of the area, and learn about the significance of the wetland area, conservation and how to take good care of our earth. Our high school pupils have given their time in the rehabilitation and maintenance of the wetland project as part of their community service in life orientation.”
Ms Whales said that with the initial hard work behind them, maintenance would take about two days per month.
“I would really like to see the rehabilitation area slowly enlarged and an increase in biodiversity over the years. I hope that one day this area will link up with the other biodiversity nodes being developed around the wetland by the Friends of the Rivers of Hout Bay.
“I also hope that we will continue to learn about and discover the riches of this very precious and threatened ecosystem so that children graduating from Ambleside School will have a desire to protect our environment.”
