Eco Warriors Unite! International Wetlands Day 2012

[Liesel James]

Eco Warriors Unite! By Liesel James from Creating Change

 

During February we honor World Wetlands day. On 4 February 2012, Little Green Fingers from Marine Primary Environmental Club,  Capri, AfriOceans Tribes from Red Hill and Ocean View and Glen Cairn united with a common goal to clean up Els River. This event was organized by Glencairn  Educational and Support Enthusiasts GEESE to celebrate International Wetlands day and raise awareness. Sila Bromley and her husband Sir Richard Bromley founders of GEESE had their own team of adults who joined in the educational walk down the ravine.

Teamwork Mr Petersen founder of Marine Primary Environmental Club with Kaitlin Abrahams and Shirley Staggie

The children walked a couple of kilometers down the river collecting bags full of rubbish which was left half way as it was just too heavy to carry all the way down.  AfriOceans who has an office below the Southern Right Hotel later collected this. Rubbish included lots of plastics of all sorts, polystyrene, tyres and plastic chairs. Els River finally flows into Glencairn Beach and residue of all these elements wash off into our ocean.

Eco Warriors uniting: Little Green Fingers from Ocean View, Glen Cairn, Capri and AfriOceans from Redhill and Ocean View.

Along the way the children and adults alike were educated about the Fynbos and invasive plants which are a great threat to our biodiversity. We learnt about the Galaxy Fish, which is a small fresh water fish only found in the southern hemisphere living in clean waters. These little fish are visible at the Rotary Campsite but endangered and another reason why we have to look after our wetlands to save these precious animals.

 

The event ended with all the participants putting their handprints on a mural wall next to the Glencairn Station to show their commitment to fight for our biodiversity on this planet. AfriOceans organized this and Lesley Rochat who founded this NGO filmed the event.

 

Tala founder of Little Green Fingers at the age of 6,  leaving her statement with AfriOceans Facilitator.

The actual day was on Thursday 2 February but due to school commitments these eco warriors decided to join hands together and clean up Els River which meanders down Glencairn.

 

“The survival of all living things is a concern to all of us and only when we work together will we make a considerable difference. There is no place for egos on our planet any more. The power of community is future change!” says Liesel James, founder of Creating Change.