Grootbos Foundation Monthly Update | October 2024

30 October

Foundation

We are excited to share the latest developments and successes from the Grootbos Foundation’s conservation and community projects. We reflected on the success stories of our entrepreneurship and sports programmes and all the families and communities that have been positively affected.

With the launch of Third Thursday: Lunchtime Talks with the Foundation and some thievery among birds, it has been a very exciting month. 

Lunchtime Talks with the Grootbos Foundation

The Grootbos Foundation recently launched Third Thursdays, a monthly online talk series where Foundation members present the story of their projects, work and impact. 

From managing biodiversity in the fynbos to promoting the importance of sports in local communities, learn more about the vital work the Grootbos Foundation is doing.

Rocking the Boat

‘In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand and we will understand only what we are taught.’ - Baba Dioum, Senegalese Forestry Engineer. 

Rocking the Boat is a canoeing programme in Stanford where the young paddlers have become the guardians of the Klein River. Utilising the still waters of the estuary, the members of the programme have come to love the river and all that call it home. Becoming stewards of this aquatic system, the paddlers have become inspirational role models in the village of Stanford. 

Thievery in the Fynbos

Asekho, a PhD student and his research assistant, Jade, from Nelson Mandela University, visited the Grootbos Environmental Centre and looked at the pollination in recently burned fynbos. Asekho shared the following:

“My PhD work looks at sunbird pollination systems in recently burned fynbos vegetation. Specifically, I assess how much food (nectar) is available for sunbirds, investigate nectar robbing and florivory (damage caused by insects on flowers) and determine which bird pollinators visit targeted plant species.”

Work Experience at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

The Green Futures Horticulture students spent a week doing work experience at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Harold Porter Botanical Gardens in Betty’s Bay. 

Getting their hands dirty, they loved the opportunity to put their newly learnt skills to practise. 

Welcome Visitors

During their studies and after graduation, the students of Green Futures will spend their days outdoors working with plants, clearing aliens and landscaping.

In this region, snakes are feared and might be harmed because of a lack of understanding. So, the Green Futures students were introduced to a puff adder in a controlled environment to learn, understand and appreciate snake behaviour in a natural habitat. 

Snakes are not dangerous if left alone and observed from a safe distance. They are important parts of the natural ecosystem and food chain. It is the wildness and unspoilt ecosystem that humans are drawn to in this part of the world. Mutual respect will ensure we can all cohabit in peace.

Success Spotlight

From Spaza shop owners and hairdressers to caterers and seamstresses, our Entrepreneurship programme has seen some amazing businesses thrive. 

Turning side hustles into full-time businesses, creating meaningful employment, and supporting families are some of the amazing outcomes our business owners have achieved through the entrepreneurship programme. Putting their best foot forward, the locals are flourishing and we couldn’t be more proud.