Empowering Action, Securing the Future
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.
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.
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
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.