FRoK leads invasive plant removal operation
Their involvement highlights the importance of equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to protect South Africa’s natural heritage.
On Wednesday, February 12, conservation efforts took centre stage at Little Falls Pleasure Resort as Friends of Kloofendal (FRoK) and City Parks and Zoos joined hands with students from South West Gauteng Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College to tackle invasive plant species.
Under the guidance of environmental experts, the students worked to remove Bugweed and Jerusalem Cherry, two aggressive alien species that threaten local biodiversity.
According to Hélène de Villiers, a representative from FRoK, the students not only uprooted the smaller or young plants and worked on the big older plants, but they also received hands-on training in how to cut them down to manage invasive species.
The students also taught techniques such as girdling – the process of cutting a ring around the bark to starve the plant – and applying herbicide to prevent regrowth. The initiative is part of a broader conservation effort to preserve indigenous flora and maintain ecological balance in Johannesburg’s green spaces.
Alien invasive plants outcompete native species, depleting resources and altering natural habitats. By removing them, the students contributed to restoring the natural ecosystem of the resort.
For the students, the experience was both educational and rewarding as you could tell from their faces that they were proud of the job they had done and were proud of themselves for being able to apply what they had been taught.
