A MONTESSORI is hoping to use a new mural to educate young minds on how birds play an essential role in the functioning of the ecosystem.

Nicky Rodseth, who runs Montessori Life in Sunningdale, worked with creative artist Giffy to design a wall showing two birds, the crested barbet and black collared barbet, that nest in one of the trees at the school’s premises.

Both birds are featured on either side of the entrance wall among Cape Ash leaves and fruits. Prior to the amazing transformation, the wall was a plain green colour, explained Rodseth.

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“To fundraise for this project we had several cake sales and an auction. When we spoke about the ideas for the mural on what to put there we eventually landed on barbets. Giffy loves birds and he was very excited to know the two species live in one of the trees in our playground. We hope to use this as an educational tool and it certainly brightens up the entrance to the Montessori. Environmental education is one of our key focus points here and we instill this in our children about the importance of birds and other animals within the ecosystem,” she said.

For artist Giffy, being able to share his love for nature with young people was a highlight.

“My work is solely inspired by the wildlife we have around us in KZN. I hope that my paintings allow young people to see wildlife which perhaps they hadn’t noticed before, and hopefully this may spark an interest in our abundance of biodiversity in KZN. We can only conserve nature once we are interested in it. I hope there may be a few budding conservationists brewing, as a result of my art.

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“While I was painting, the children came around in their classes to watch me paint, and to ask some questions. I showed them the bird calls of the Barbets, which have a comical call, the kids enjoyed learning about this. I hope their curiosity for birds is elevated. We are truly blessed to have such beautiful birds in Durban,” he said.

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