MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two learners from Point High School Sean Farnham and Gerogina Baker, was awarded Springbok Scout Award this year 2015.
Sean and Georgina are the only Scouts in Mossel Bay to have received their Springbok scout award.
It takes a number of years to achieve this award with many courses, camps, social upliftment projects and environmental activities to achieve. Scouts meet on a Friday in the Scout Hall on Schoeman Street at 16:30.
New members, boys and girls between the ages 12 and 17, are welcome to join to learn more about nature, outdoor and life skills.
Scouts Doing their bit for environment 2018
The Mossel Bay Scouts rolled up their sleeves to pick up pieces of plastic.
During the months of May and June, several beach clean-ups were arranged in the Mossel Bay area to create awareness about pollution on our beaches and in estuaries.
Mossel Bay Municipality’s Warren Manuel said that these activities formed part of the municipality’s Estuary Forums initiative.
Vivien Stadler from Blackbird Administrators was contracted to assist and arrange clean-ups in Hartenbos, Little Brak and Great Brak. The first clean-up was held in May with the 30 enthusiastic Grade 5 learners from Hartenbos Primary School.
Four plastic bags were filled with trash that was picked up around the estuary area. More than 50 plastic grocery bags were found in the dunes with 143 plastic pieces and more than 100 cigarette butts picked up. The Grade 5 teacher, Elize van Schalkwyk, indicated that the learners would definitely like to get involved in future clean-ups and that they are looking forward to starting their own recycling programme as a class. The learners from Hartenbos Primary School chose their slogan for the day: Save Nature. One learner had the following catchy phrase as a message: “Gooi jou rommel in die drommel; elke een is 'n seën.”
Mossel Bay Scouts
For the second clean-up, the Mossel Bay Scouts rolled up their sleeves at Little Brak River in June. It was noted that at first glance the beach looked clean, but once one started looking closer, numerous micro pieces of plastic could be seen, with more than 350 pieces picked up. Other trash included 83 cigarette butts, 51 bottle caps and 42 small pieces of rope, which filled two black bags.
The third beach clean-up was held in Great Brak River on 23 June. Despite the school holidays, the turnout was good, with 44 people attending the event. Members of the Great Brak River Conservancy group, the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.), Hersham Neighbourhood Watch and the general public came out in their numbers. More than 20 yellow bags were filled in less than three hours.
Most of the trash was found in the dunes of Great Brak beach and upriver from the estuary. More than 100 alcoholic beverage bottles and cans were picked up, which must certainly be of concern as the consumption of alcohol on beaches and adjacent parking areas is strictly forbidden. Bags full of large pieces of plastic, microplastic pieces, plastic bottles, plastic bags, food wrappers, wet wipes and lollipop sticks were collected.
The chairman of the Great Brak River Conservancy, Scott Thomson, said that the importance of beach clean-ups such as the one at Great Brak River was profound, as every little bit helped. He said that the river and beach area can always be cleaner, but that it is close to an urban area where pollution will always be a factor. That is why it is important to take the responsibility of looking after our coastal areas.
Get involved
The Great Brak River Conservancy will host another clean-up event as part of Mandela Day festivities on 18 July. For more information on how to get involved, contact Scott (079 187 0257). The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) tends to all stranded marine animals on our coastline. For more information, contact Tersia Marais (072 227 4715). The Mossel Bay Scouts meet on a regular basis and are involved in numerous environmental activities including educational camps. For more information, contact Pat (083 752 3231).
MOSSEL BAY NEWS -
Mossel Bay Scouts rolled up their sleeves to pick up pieces of plastic.