Botanical Gardens launches bio school fun holiday special |16 May 2011

The activities, which are being carried out on a trial basis, will include guided tours of the gardens with explanations on their history, functions and importance.

The children will also learn more about the various plants and animals there as well as have time for recreational and fun activities relating to the gardens.

The activities form part of the new National Botanical Gardens Foundation (NBGF) aim to provide more services and innovative programmes to make the place more attractive and popular to locals and visitors.

Sharon Ernesta, the NBGF’s sales and marketing manager, said parents interested in enrolling their children on the programme will have to contribute R30 per child per day.

Interested parents should get in touch with officials at the NBGF for more information.

Mrs Ernesta said they are accepting children between the age of 7 and 11 on the programme.

“The aim is to get children to discover all the plants and animals that exist in the gardens and develop their interests in that area,” she said.

With regard to future activities the gardens plan to organise, Mrs Ernesta said the NBGF will work closely with the Ministry of Education, Employment and Human Resources to involve interested science teachers and the Biodiversity Centre at Barbarons -- which also falls under the NBGF -- in order to broaden and diversify the programme.

“The aim is to also use the gardens as outdoor classrooms,” said Mrs Ernesta.

 The activities are expected to be carried out between 8am and 4pm said Mrs Ernesta.