Location: Andante Primary School, Ladysmith (uMnambithi)
Date 11 June 2024
Organisers: African Black Duck (ABD) Association
Participants: 37 learners (Grades 3-7, ages 9-14) and 4 educators
On Tuesday, 11th June, the African Black Duck (ABD) Association hosted an event with Andante Primary School to promote climate change awareness and local river conservation. The ABD, a group of Ladysmith residents, focuses on addressing sewer spills, controlling invasive plants, and preventing illegal dumping in the Cochrane Spruit. The event, part of ABD’s awareness-raising efforts, involved 37 learners (ages 9-14) and 4 educators.
The day began with climate change discussions using the “WESSA Puzzling Climate Change” game, which included debates, questions, and running activities. Winning teams received stationery gifts, and all participants were given art supplies to create climate change-related art.
After a break, an introductory talk on river health and the MiniSASS citizen science tool was given. The children were then taken to the Cochrane Spruit to follow the MiniSASS protocol, sampling water, collecting macroinvertebrates, and identifying them using a dichotomous key. The river health score indicated good water quality. The children also cleaned up litter and were excited to find a large crab and a porcupine quill.
The event successfully engaged the children in environmental education and hands-on conservation activities, fostering a deeper understanding of climate change and river health.
