Growing biodiversity in schools and communities

Creating living classrooms with indigenous plants

Know, grow, protect and enjoy South Africa's indigenous plants

Biodiversity conservation school and community gardens

COMPONENT

As part of the Protecting and Restoring South Africa’s Natural Heritage project, the Botanical Society of South Africa, working with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and other conservation partners, established biodiversity conservation school and community gardens across the Western Cape (component 4 of the project).

These gardens combined youth skills development, biodiversity conservation and environmental education, creating living spaces to connect communities with indigenous plants and local biodiversity.

Through hands-on training and mentorship, young people gained practical experience in garden development, while supporting schools and communities to build long-term conservation awareness.

Impact of project component

15

biodiversity gardens

YOUTH

trained in horticulture

PLANTS

Indigenous plants installed across sites

Creating living classrooms for biodiversity conservation

Component 4 delivered tangible conservation outcomes by combining youth skills development with the establishment of biodiversity-focused school and community gardens.

These gardens serve as:

– Living classrooms
– Environmental education spaces
– Biodiversity conservation sites
– Community learning hubs

By using locally indigenous fynbos and other species, the gardens support biodiversity while promoting awareness of South Africa’s unique plant heritage.

Hands-on youth conservation training

Youth beneficiaries received practical training in:

– Garden design
– Indigenous plant selection
– Soil preparation
– Planting techniques
– Site layout
– Community engagement

This hands-on experience strengthened conservation skills, while supporting environmental education in schools and communities.

A community collaboration for nature

The programme successfully established 15 biodiversity conservation school and community gardens across the Western Cape.

Each garden was developed in collaboration with schools and community partners, ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership.

To support ecological success, all sites included:

– Soil rehabilitation
– Compost and mulch incorporation
– Indigenous plant installation
– Garden infrastructure
– Educational signage

These gardens now serve as long-term conservation and education assets.

Supporting environmental education

This component has also strengthened plant conservation awareness through coordinated outreach and communicatio the citizen science community and deeTo ensure long-term impact, additional supportive resources were developed and provided to the schools and communities involved in establishing the gardens.

CAPE TOWN

Steenberg High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden

CAPE TOWN

Masiphumelele High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden

CAPE TOWN

Learn more

This component forms part of the Protecting and Restoring South Africa’s Natural Heritage project, which combines:

Strengthening citizen science

Youth were trained in plant identification, biodiversity monitoring and citizen science, contributing valuable data to national conservation platforms through collaboration with SANBI and the CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers) Programme.

Upskilling youth for conservation careers

Young people received practical conservation training in ecological restoration, invasive alien plant clearing, plant conservation and fieldwork skills, supporting career pathways in the nature-based sector, while protecting Important Plant Areas.

Growing South Africa’s plant lovers through digital engagement

A structured digital engagement programme expanded awareness through webinars, publications, newsletters and social media – connecting more people to plant conservation in South Africa.