Educational
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Hermanus: The whale watching capital of the world!
Every year the small town of Hermanus turns into a bustling hub filled with excitement, activity and wonder. This is thanks to the arrival of the VIPs gracing the South African shores. I am of course talking about the yearly arrival of the migrating Southern Right Whales. Each year between June and November, the Western
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A visit to Kirstenbosch: A jewel of the Cape Floral Kingdom
If you have ever been lucky enough to visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, you would undoubtedly have walked out of there with a magical feeling in your heart. Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this conservation property is unlike any other, being highly unique in many different ways. I
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The building blocks of a circular economy
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is a slogan which we have been taught extensively. I remember the first time I was introduced to these terms, when a recycling organization visited our primary school. I got a frisbee with a big recycling sign on it and was so happy with my recycled plastic toy. Maybe you remember
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The important role of zoological gardens in nature education
I recently spent a day out at the Montecasino Bird Gardens in Johannesburg. As with previous visits, I was pleasantly impressed with this world class facility and had a meaningful day filled with learning, smiles and of course…lots of birds! Tons have been said about zoological gardens/facilities and aquariums in the past, and different people
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Biodiversity 101: Understanding the basic principles of biodiversity
To say that biodiversity is a complex field of study is a major understatement. Scientists and conservationists have spent many years studying the intricate details of biodiversity and the real-life application thereof. Everyday we continue to learn even more about this extraordinary field of study. There are however a few basic concepts relating to biodiversity
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A crash course to the foundations of sustainability
SUSTAINABLE and SUSTAINABILITY are words which we surely are hearing a lot lately! Anywhere and everywhere from sustainable tourism, sustainable development and sustainable farming all the way to sustainable fashion and even something called sustainable development goals. But what does the concept of sustainability actually mean? Are these buzzwords just a fancy tool to boost
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The theory of conservation: How Rietvlei Nature Reserve does it right!
Ask anyone who has visited the Rietvlei Nature reserve in Pretoria about their experience, and you are bound to hear words such as ‘jewel’, ‘special’, ‘magnificent’, ‘unique’ or ‘exceptional’! I agree wholeheartedly with these feelings of wonder, and will even go further and say that this reserve is a prime example of what modern nature
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de Hoop MPA: A blueprint for ocean conservation
“We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it…Because they do!” – Sylvia Earle These are the words of Sylvia Earle, a marine biologist and oceanographer who has dedicated her life to protecting and understanding the oceans and marine ecosystems. As she clearly states, it is