As part of their protected landscapes and community sustainable course, 13 students alongside two professors from Paul Smiths College, New York, based in the Champlain Adirondack Biosphere Network (CABN), visited South Africa for a 10-day biosphere to biosphere learning exchange to develop a comparative analysis of sustainable development strategies and actions in both countries.

To further understand the sustainable community perspective in South Africa, the students also examined cultural and socioeconomic dynamics, challenges, and opportunities in the region.

While at Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, the group were introduced to the Young Mother Support Programme in Villiersdorp. They also met with a local community entrepreneur, who is spearheading the Micro-business Bee Keeping project. A new initiative based at the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve Hub.

Delving in…

The Young Mother Support Programme is a Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve initiative that further capacitates an already established programme in Villiersdorp, facilitated by a community member trained as a *Flourish host.

The programme supports pregnant women, as well as their children after they give birth, in addition to young pregnant girls and girl at risk. Classes are held in the township, and online, for the mothers living in nearby towns with limited travel, or in farm communities in the area. It is a safe space for young women to learn valuable life skills, and to provide them with other needed resources, such as trauma counselling and community support. To the visiting Paul Smith College students, talking to the women in the community and hearing the positive impact this program has was incredible inspiring to them. It also gave the group insight to the cultural dynamics in different communities. The group were treated to freshly made roosterkoek, jam, and cheese, a traditional South African meal.

The group and mothers

Sharing roesterkoek

Engaging in the Entrepreneur Microbusiness Bee Project back at the CWBR Hub, was a highlight for the group. Economically, the project offers business training and bee-keeping practices to 20 local women to start their own business in a sustainable fashion. The project aims to drive economic growth in the local community while supporting sustainable practices. Socially, women from different regions and different ethnicities can connect, fostering positive relationships and communication within the community. Keeping bees has a positive ecological impact in pollination, as well as practicing self-sustainable actions by producing honey. A student reflects, “Personally, I enjoyed this activity, as the class was able to work with important species in the environment”.

Bees building a comb

Investigating a hive

After three days with the CWBR, the group then headed onto Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve. Some examples at Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) included Gouritz Resilient Rivers Project, and the Inheems Art initiative that spearhead the sustainable efforts to foster human and nature connection.

A student reflects “So far, this trip has enlightened me with projects and actions being taken in biosphere reserves across the globe. This enables me to create a comparative analysis between CWBR, GCBR, and CABN, as well as bring back ideas to share with the board on how we can connect with our community. The mountainous landscape and vast among of biodiversity have made this trip incredible!”

Learn more, check out Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve here and Champlain Adirondack Biosphere Reserve here

Paul Smith’s College students and professors with CWBR facilitator

The core of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), the Boland Mountain range, hosts the most incredible biodiversity in the world. The Fynbos biome, forming part of the Cape Floristic Region. In addition, the Berg Catchment is the source of fundamental rivers, that course through towns, cities, and three other Western Cape biosphere reserves, eventually flowing out into the Indian and Atlantic Ocean.

As part of facilitated eco-educational outings in the region, the CWBR incorporates source to sea education. The CWBR team, in collaboration with partners, regularly facilitate excursions for youth from underrepresented vulnerable inland communities, bringing them to the sea. Exposing them to the immense biodiversity along the shore, fostering the link between inland rivers and ocean health.

This includes a yearly camp in partnership with a marine nature reserve, a lowland fynbos area that hosts a marine protected area. The field guides, some initially trained through the field guide training offered through the CWBR, give back during the eco-educational outings through sharing marine, flora, and fauna education of the area. Some of the field guides, having grown up in inland communities, become role models for the youth in fostering curiosity for conservation and education careers.

Extract from a Noember 2024 camp

Travelling from the inland mountain community they call home, at the base of Jonkershoek along the Eerste river, 15 after-school group youth, and their teacher, were brought by the CWBR team to De Hoop Nature Reserve for a weekend camp at De Hoop Collection. A first-time experience for them all.

Arriving on a late Friday afternoon, the group set up camp for three days, tenting amongst the ancient milkwood trees under a vast stary sky. The weekend’s activities were co-facilitated by the De Hoop Collection guides and CapeNature facilitators. Activities included a guided nature drive, a marine walk along the rocky shores discovering the abundant life that lives there, and experiencing first-hand all the biodiversity the area has to offer.

Eco-educational outings are an important catalyst in fostering curiosity and learning about the interconnectedness between humans and nature, their role in preserving the natural environment.

Exploring

Marine Education

Marine Education

Safari Drive

While representing a wide range of contexts, biosphere reserves (BR’s) worldwide, share a common framework. As set out by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme, to achieve its mission in enriching the relationship between people and their environments and contribute to the global Sustainable Development Goals. Those with shared characteristics, such as coastlines or mountains, have an opportunity for shared learning through formed BR networks.

Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR) is honoured to have become a member of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves. In addition to being given the opportunity to send a representative to the 2nd WNMBR meeting that took place in September 2024, hosted in Ordino Biosphere Reserve, in Andorra.

The five-day conference hosted interactive talks and working group sessions, followed by opportunities to visit areas of Ordino Biosphere Reserve. Participants represented biosphere reserves in Asia, Europe, Lebanon, South and North America.

Our CWBR facilitator shared insight on a discussion panel exploring methods of branding within biosphere reserves, and the use of the biosphere reserve logo’s name. The support of businesses, creating awareness of biosphere reserves. The intricacies, challenges, and advantages that come with it.

A hight for the CWBR team member was the Sorteny National Park. To experience the rich culture, history, and unique biodiversity. An example that stood out was the raising of cattle in the area, a practice spanning centuries, which has been integrated into the biosphere reserves conservation management systems. In addition to an excentric biodiversity walk, led by a couple enacting characters from 1906 who were smuggling tobacco, perfume, and sugar across the Pyrenees mountains in wintertime when work was sparse. The participants were led on a smugglers route, learning as they went along, about the history and the plants in the area.

Discussion Panel

Biodiversity Walk

Presentation Tourism in BR's

Cattle ranging in Sorteny National Park

Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve is also part of the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves.

The core of the CWBR, the Boland Mountain range, hosts the most increadible biodiversity in the world. The Fynbos biome, forming part of the Cape Floristic Region. In addition, the Berg Catchment is the source of seven rivers, that courses through towns, cities, and three other Western Cape biosphere reserves, eventually flowing out into the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. 

To learn more about Ordino Biosphere Reserve visit: https://biosferaordino.ad/recursos

To find out more about the networks and its members, click the logo’s below.

Today marks the international day for Climate Action. A reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions, and working towards a greener and more sustainable future for all. This years theme: Empowering Action, Securing the Future.

As part of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserves (CWBR) educational outreach in communities, exposure to citizen science has become a regular component to the hands-on activities offered. A bottom-up approach contributing to building resilient communities, understanding climate change also means understanding weather, one’s environment, and eco-systems. This is where citizen science can play a role.

Particularly for the vulnerable poorer communities who continue to be heavily impacted by the drastic weather changes. Entire families losing their homes and being displaced by floods or fires. 

Prof Jennifer Fitchett, winner of the 2024 Communication Award under the prestigious NSTF-South32 Awards, states: “Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a human rights issue,” she states. “It is the poorest communities that suffer the most, despite contributing the least to global emissions.”

Recent CWBR activities

Last week, the CWBR team co-facilitated a bioblitz with a CREW facilitator from SANBI for the Bridge House Eco-Club and Groendal Secondary School Science Club youth. It was the first documentation of the biodiversity, on iNaturalist, present in that particular spot. The students learned how to use the iNaturalist app and the value of citizen science as well as becoming citizen scientists.

Using iNaturalist app

The BioBlitz Team

Exploring the area

In September, for World Clean-up Day, the CWBR team joined the Strand Looper team, a local community-led NPO, who arranged a river clean up along the Berg River. The 30 participants not only helped clean up but also learned about the interconnectedness of water systems and human impact. Hands-on activities were facilitated at the CWBR mobile educational classroom, including a MiniSASS (Stream Assessment Scoring System) and water-chemical analysis, deepening their understanding of precious water resources. Various partners contributed to the day, and responsible collection of the waste gathered.

Using binoculars

The river clean-up team

Collecting litter

Empowering individuals to give back through learned skills and knowledge

Several of the community Citizen Scientists, trained as part of the UNESCO Be Resilient project, regularly co-facilitate alongside the CWBR team at community engagements. They share how to conduct the various river monitoring methods and what they learned in becoming Citizen Scientists.

To learn more about the project and other mitigation adaptions toward tackling climate change, check out the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve activities as part of UNESCO Be Resilient  

Sharing knowledge learned

Explaining SASS5

Water Chemical Analysis

A recent outing in collaboration with a CapeNature Engagement Officer at Assegaaibosch Conservation area, Jonkershoek. Co-facilitated, sharing citizen science with Care Career Connection, an organization who offer skills development to the mentally and physically impaired.

Mothers, children, the Villiersdorp community, Provincial and National stakeholders gathered together to celebrate the official opening of a new centre in Villiersdorp. A shared space for young mothers, mental and physical disability support through Tools for Life, and skills development workshops.  

In partnership with Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), the Centre has been made possible through Athénée Action Humanitaire NGO Luxembourg. Funds raised through the Yvonne Zeimen Young Mother Support Programme and Schuman Rotary Club, Luxembourg. The newly installed centre is an expansion and shares the space with an existing Villiersdorp initiative, Tools for Life, who work with mentally and physically differently abled.

The event was attended by the CWBR team, 70 Flourish graduates: mothers and their children, the Tools for Life team, as well as 30 various representatives from the Department of Education, the local clinic, and the national head of Flourish.

Activities included education on homemade sensory and educational toys for children, gifting crochet teddy bears made by ladies in the community for the children, and various speeches acknowledging the importance of young mother support and the strengthened community that it has fostered in Villiersdorp. The event closed with words from Tools for Life, and the Flourish Anthem. A song written by the Flourish hosts son. 

Handing out crochet toys

Exploring the new centre

Stakeholder discussions

Listen to the Flourish Anthem

Find out more about the network: https://flourishnetwork.org.za/

As the second school term draws to a close, and exams are around the corner, the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve environmental education team has wrapped up the initial set of scientific and eco-literacy focused activities facilitated in the second school semester. Alongside a teacher devoted to her student’s education, at a no-school fee public school in the Franschhoek Valley.

The CWBR team have been facilitating hands-on activities supporting enhanced skills and understanding of topics within science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Through bi-weekly in-class support for six Grade 8 and 9 classes at Groendal Secondary School (GSS), reaching approximately 250 students. Together with the enthusiastic science teacher, and full support of the principal, the CWBR led activities aim to expand the student’s understanding of STEAM subjects. Increasing access to future opportunities in a socio-economically stretched and limited prospect environment.

Considering the technological advancements that have also taken place, the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), employment opportunities in fields such as robotics, coding, design, and AI will be at the forefront.  Youth will therefore need to be equipped with skills and knowledge in STEAM subjects in order to access these future fields of work.

In the learning space

The GSS students anticipate what hands-on activity or experiment they will be conducting in class on the days that the CWBR team visits. In the second semester, the pupils created atoms using clay models, and learned about the atom’s components, then onto different phases of matter, and diffusion. Fun experiments such as inflating balloons with carbon dioxide gas created in a simple soda bottle! Each activity has been thoughtfully planned, in collaboration with the teacher, and aligned with the lesson plan for the natural science class curriculum.

Creating Atom Models

Stages of Matter: Gas

Learning about Diffusion

In addition, a bi-weekly after-school science club is taking place at the school grounds with 30 students and growing. GSS youth who are passionate about science and STEAM subjects as a whole, and curious about their natural environmental surroundings, have the opportunity to part-take in hands-on activities at STEAM-Y. A mobile pop up classroom, with multiple workshops that the pupils rotate between. It is a space which aims to foster curiosity and the importance of learning and self-development through knowledge exchange.

The students learned about the importance and life of a river system, various citizen science methods, eco-systems, and the eco-system food chain in the second semester. They were also introduced to the concept of a biosphere reserve, and that in fact, that they live in the heart of one!

Throughout these workshops, the students were also introduced to and are learning how to use the Globe app, an online free citizen science tool, and extensive curriculum, encompassing all topics biodiversity. Created by NASA.

Learning about BR’s

Eco-system presentation

Introduction to Globe app

Answering questions posed in the app, the students gathered data on cloud formation, and learned about additional citizen science methods, including an introduction to river monitoring and the use of miniSASS. The student’s role as humans in the ecosystems was discussed. The importance to protect and preserve it for future generations.

In addition, the in-class and outdoor engagements have a cross-cultural component with our visiting international volunteers. It is providing a unique quality of education to prepare the learners to navigate the opportunities for the 21st century whilst being mindful of living in harmony with nature. An ethos at the heart of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve.

The CWBR team look forward to joining Groendal Secondary School again in term three, for some more fun hands-on science activities and innovative approaches to learning.