Fourty two bags of junk collected

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Three rangers from Fransmanshoek Conservancy took 42 children, aged 10 to 12, from Lighthouse Academy, Mossel Bay, on an educational exercise and beach clean-up between Boggomsbaai and Vleesbaai.

This was part of the school’s curriculum to introduce the children to the environment in a practical way. This adventure took place last Friday from 08:30 to 13:00.

The starting point was the Sandpiper Leisure Centre in Boggomsbaai. From there the children were taken through the well-known Kleinbos Eco Estate, where they were introduced to the different endemic plants, insects and animals of this unspoiled coastal environment.

It was amazing to see that even the teachers remarked on the valuable, interesting facts pointed out by the knowledgeable rangers.

From there they meandered to the beach, where the clean-up commenced. Each child had a blue bag in which recyclable material was gathered. The 3.5km walk resulted in 42 bags of various items being collected from along the shoreline.

The bags were left at Vleesbaai, where they were taken by Fransmanshoek rangers to the nearest dump site.

Photo gallery: Lighthouse Academy beach cleanup

According Boggomsbaai conservationist Fred Orban, who arranged this excursion, the Lighthouse Academy will get each learner to write a short essay about their experience and what they found most interesting.

The learner with the most interesting essay will be able to treat their family to a weekend away at one of the rustic bush cabins made available at Fred Orban’s development.

The principal, Gawie Mynhardt, has also agreed to submit photographs taken by the learners to the iNaturalist global city challenge (www.citynaturechallenge.org).

Orban also indicated that this type of initiative will hopefully be followed by more schools and conservancies along the Garden Route coast. "The future of our planet may just lie in the hands and vision of our youth," he says.

The group of children who helped to clean up the coastline.