Invasive Alien Plants Control program Fraaisig Primary School

Invasive Alien Plants: Control program Fraaisig Primary School Thomas Aubrey Borchards

Fraaisig Primary School

Overview of our School Socio-economic background School situated in Hornlee Learners from Nekkies, Dam-se -Bos, Oupad, Witlokasie, Khayalethu, Concordia Political background In 1968 two schools were amalgamated Fraaisig Primary established In 1969 Nekkies Primary was added High unemployment rate Language of instruction Social problems

Invasive Alien Plant Project Reasons for the project Fraaisig Primary is infested with the following Invasive Alien Plants: Black Wattle Rooikrans Blue gum (Sugar gum) Absence of natural enemies allow Invasive Alien Plants to spread more rapidly

Black Wattle (Category 2 Invader) Origin: Australia Provided shelter Tan bark Shade Firewood, poles Health risk

Rooikrans (Category 2 Invader) Origin: Australia Dune stabilization Shelter Firewood

Sugar Gum (Category 2 Invader) Origin Australia A type of Eucalyptus Used to make honey, firewood and shelter

Impact of Invasive Alien Vegetation Indigenous plants like Erica's, on which the Honeysuckle and sugarbirds used to feed, disappeared Invades the space where indigenous plants previously grew Strain on water resources in a water stressed area Causes health problems

Hide-out for hooligans Safety of children Breeding ground for reptiles

Time Frame ACTION TIMEFRAME TARGET GROUP Awareness First school quarter Grade 4 to 6 learners, teachers, parents. Partnerships Before and during San. Parks, Wf. W, implementation of plan Correctional Services, Rastafarians Removal of Invasive Alien Plants In 2010: Black wattle In 2011: Rooikrans Wf. W, Correctional Services, San. Parks Rehabilitation After removal of Invasive Alien Plants Wf. W, San. Parks, Department of Forestry, nursery Indigenous garden After rehabilitation Learners, teachers, community

Action Plan Involve Correctional Services Removal of Invasive Alien Plants

Action Plan Involve community The story of Oom Willem Plant more indigenous plants

Follow-up

Partnerships

Linking project to Curriculum Literacy: LO 1 : Listening and following instructions LO 2 : Speaking and giving own opinion LO 3 : Reading and interpretation Numeracy: LO 1: Working with numbers and basic operations LO 4: Measurement Natural Sciences: LO 1: Scientific Investigations

Challenges Awareness campaign Getting learners, parents, colleagues and more schools involved Establish and maintain partnerships Rehabilitation Erosion Budget Sustainability

What did we learn from this project? Knowledge Skills Value of indigenous plants Threats of Alien plants Value of partnerships

Conclusion Sugarbirds are already returning School grounds are much safer A decrease in house breaking and robberies in the area Improved view from school Vandalism stopped It is the responsibility of everybody to address this issue.

“Geen mens kan gelukkig wees as jy net vir jouself lewe nie. Die enigste blywende geluk lê daarin om jouself te verloor in ‘n saak wat groter, beter, blywender en van groter waarde is as jou eie klein bestaan” (John Mason Brown) “ No one can be happy if he is only living for himself. The only lasting happiness comes when you loose yourself in something that is greater, better, lasting and of greater value than your own small existence”

Thank You Mr. Thomas Aubrey Borchards Cell No: 0727371600