THE trails in the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve were a hive of activity last week as Northwood School learners helped in several projects to upkeep the reserve.

Spearheaded by Buzz Bolton and Riverside Trail, a local trail running organisation which looks after the trails, learners helped remove sand illegally dumped at the entrance to the reserve, built benches out of discarded pallets and helped with the removal of alien invasive plants.

“We were delighted to have the boys with us over four days. Last year we held a similar initiative with Michaela Geytenbeek. We had around 30 learners who concentrated on different projects, including alien invasive plant removal. The rangers have identified three alien invasives that we focused on, the Indian laurel (Litsea glutinosa), Chromolaena odorata (commonly called Triffid Weed) and Tradescantia zebrina.

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“I also organised wheelbarrows from the community to get excess sand removed which was dumped at the entrance to the bush on Danville Avenue. We also had reserve manager Thami Kunene speak to the learners about the importance of the reserve and biodiversity. Each morning he spoke to them about different facets of the reserve including its history,” he said.

Kent VanderYacht, director of basketball at Northwood School who was one of the educators working with the learners, also touched on the importance of community.

“Northwood School is big into family and community and we need to learn to serve and give back to the community. This was a wonderful way to learn about a natural resource as well as giving back to the upkeep of the trails. Part of the activities last week also saw our learners visit the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve and we also volunteered at a feeding programme in the City,” he said

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