Learners explore mangroves during National Arbor Week

IN commemoration of National Arbour Week, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) held a two-day educational programme for Grade 7 learners from schools in Wentworth, recently.

On day one, the learners of Collingwood Primary School were taken on a day out to the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, which is alongside the Umgeni River.

Tristan Meek, the youth and media project officer at the SCDEA, said the Mangroves are rich in biodiversity and are home to a host of land and marine species, including the red-clawed mangrove crab and Nile monitor.

“Upon touring the mangroves, we saw a host of tree species, crabs, insects, and vervet monkeys. The learners were led by our tour guide, Camrin Moodeliar, a SDCEA volunteer, who did an amazing job in taking the children on an exciting walkabout on the trail.

“At each point that we stopped he gave us an explanation on what species we would find at that point, what are some of the characteristics and history about a certain species, and the importance of the mangrove environment,” he said.

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Meek said, unlike regular forests, mangroves are very helpful to the environment as they serve as carbon storages.

On the second day of the programme, Grade 7 learners from Assegai Primary School, Gardenia Primary, and Collingwood Primary School, were shown a video of mangroves from all over the world.

Meek said, Bongani Mthembu, SDCEA’s air quality officer, gave a presentation on the significance of mangroves.

“Because trees are so important, each learner was given a plant pot, some flower seeds, water, and organic compost for them to plant and start their own little garden. They were tasked with the growing and nurturing of the plant at home or at school,” he said.

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