Enviro Wise Clubs have launched at local schools in the towns of Boshof and Hertzogville, as part of an overarching Climate Change Awareness Programme. This public-private-partnership programme sees the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Free State National Botanical Gardens and Boshof Solar Power supporting this learner programme, with the aim of driving the enviro-awareness agenda for the benefit of the local community.
Launched in September, at Aramela Combined School and Boshof Combined School, the programme which is structured to include regular interventions focused on educational sessions, weekly clean-up initiatives and environmental calendar events, hopes to promote a cleaner environment and ultimately encourage the rehabilitation of the indigenous fauna and flora.
The partnership with SANBI’s Free State National Botanical Gardens, will see the programme hosting a career expo in February next year (2024), for Grade 11 learners to create awareness around careers in environmental fields.
“We chose to support this community school programme to help foster environmental care and build a generation of eco-friendly community youth. We hope that the knowledge gained will prompt people to stop littering and dumping rubbish in non-allocated places. These habits have resulted in community areas being void of indigenous vegetation. Furthermore, as part of our focus on building climate resilient and aware communities, we hope that people will start contributing toward an improved and healthier environment for community members to enjoy,” said Zuki Ndlela, Economic Development Specialist for Boshof Solar Power
This programme forms part of Boshof Solar Power’s social economic development programme and it is hoped it will expand to more schools in the area.
