Skills Development

School staff and learners played an important role in:

– Preparing garden beds
– Planting indigenous plants
– Supporting garden establishment
– Learning about biodiversity

Why choose Wemmershoek Primary School?

Wemmershoek Primary School is a historic community school located at the foot of the Wemmershoek mountains in the Cape Winelands.

Surrounded by mountain peaks and river valleys, the school is ideally positioned for a biodiversity conservation garden that reflects the surrounding natural environment, bringing the fynbos of the mountains directly into the playground.

The garden creates a living classroom where learners can:

– See indigenous plants
– Touch and smell plant species
– Learn about fynbos ecosystems
– Engage with educational signage

The importance of the area: Swartland Alluvium Fynbos

The garden highlights Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, a Critically Endangered vegetation type found in the region.

Local community members provided guidance on:
– Plant placement
– Species selection
– Garden design

Learners and staff assisted with the implementation and planting of the garden.

Tools and resources donated to the garden

To support long-term sustainability, BOT SOC donated gardening equipment and resources to Wemmershoek Primary School.

These included:
Gardening tools | Hosepipe | Maintenance equipment

These tools help ensure the garden can be maintained by learners and staff.

 The role of the
Botanical Society
of South Africa

BOT SOC played a central role in the creation of the Wemmershoek Primary School Biodiversity Conservation Garden – as part of the Protecting and Restoring South Africa’s Natural Heritage project, funded by the National Lotteries Commission.

 BOT SOC supported the project by supporting and funding:

– Youth training and skills development
– Garden planning and coordination
– Indigenous plant selection
– Development of educational signage
– Community engagement
– Partnerships coordination