Junior Landcare - Minwater/ Little Karoo

 Junior Landcare is made up of two parts. The first is a puppet show, run by two professionals, for all primary school children in the area, discussing issues of conservation.  The second is a three-day long veldt camp, where students from grade 6 can get a hands-on learning experience.  Here professionals from government departments such as agriculture, forestry, social services, water affairs and members from NGO’s such as Minwater eco-adventures, the Nature conservation, and the Environmental Society of South Africa give the students a first-hand experience of the environment that needs saving.  They are introduced to native and alien species of plants and animals and given lectures and videos on erosion, pollution, the sustainable use of resources, water, soil, people and plants.  This is mixed in with games and wildlife visits. Run by Landcare with its entire funding coming from the Department of Agriculture, 2 camps are held every week. Thus far 1500 students have participated in the programme.

Innovation

This project is innovative in targeting children at an early age and influence them about all different facets of conservation in a hands-on and fun way and thus, hopefully, in a more memorable way. 

Effectiveness

Based on feedback from students, the project feels that its message is being understood and taken to heart.  4500 have been shown the puppet show in over 100 schools in the Little Karoo area.  Much of the work being done is on a semi-volunteer basis, or not for profit and thus allows the whole project to be run on only R70,000 per year.  1500 students have taken part in the veldt camps and are thus learning valuable lessons.  It is a large area covered by a relatively small crew but the project is being replicated in other parts of the Western Cape.

Poverty Impact

The camps include children from all communities. Often biodiversity education is excluded from black and poorer schools but this project educates all children across race and class.

Sustainability

The Department of Agriculture supports the project with R70,00 per year.   The Junior Landcare project is now considering the possibility of presenting a senior course for Grade 10 and 11 learners considering furthering their studies in conservation as a career.

Replication

It has already begun to spread to other parts of the Western Cape, the Garden Route and along the West Coast, and can be replicated with government support anywhere else in the country where conservation is an issue. 

Partnerships

• Department of Agriculture Landcare
• Western Cape Landcare
• Education Department Western Cape
• Eden District Municipality
• Gouritz Initiative
• Shoprite/Checkers
• Mr. Price
• SWD Cricket
• Minwater Eco Adventures
• Cape Nature

Visit www.juniorlandcare.com.au for more information