World Wetlands Day at Uplands
This day is an opportunity to raise awareness regarding the value of wetlands and their vital link to human well-being.
Uplands Prep celebrated World Wetlands Day on February 2. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness regarding the value of wetlands and their vital link to human well-being. This year’s theme is “Wetlands, agriculture and careful farming practising that valuable ecosystems can be preserved”.
A model of the landscape was used outside the science lab to demonstrate how wetlands worked. The grade six boys loved pouring water down the “mountain” (of the model) to allow it to flow to lower regions, passing through the landscape, through wetlands on its way to the sea.
Uplands has a wetland habitat on campus – on the other side of the dam. Apart from trying to preserve it for the sake of birds and creatures, it needs to be protected as it is habitat of the endangered Aloe simii. This aloe is only endemic from Sabie to White River and Nelspruit. This wetland with this flower is deemed a Natural Heritage Site.
The Aloe is in flower at the moment and one can be seen on the road up to the main school entrance. This beautiful plant with its salmon-pink flowers is a huge attraction for birds and insects to enjoy.
