Two project beneficiaries of the ABI Small Grants Facility are being showcased to schools across the Overstrand in May. The projects, Stripes the Eco-Cat and the Citizen Science Frog Monitoring Project, will reach approximately 2000 children at eight schools, through the Whale Coast Conservation (WCC) Sustainability Expo.
Whale Coast Conservation is rolling out the two projects in the Overstrand region. Stripes the Eco-Cat Project introduces environmental conservation themes to children from an early age. Stripes is an uninformed cat who presents biodiversity and sustainability topics to children in a fun way.
The Citizen Science Frog Monitoring Project is upskilling citizen scientists from local communities to monitor frog populations, collecting key data on frogs in the area, while building capacity. Volunteers have been trained to identify frogs, and log crucial information. The endangered Western Leopard Toad is found in the region, and is included in the monitoring project.
ABI received support from the Table Mountain Fund, an associated Trust of WWF-South Africa, to in turn provide small grants to selected projects. Through ABI, eight projects in the Overberg received between R15,000 and R20,000 each to implement projects. The third year of the ABI Small Grants Facility will launch in the coming weeks, where new projects will be encouraged to apply for funding.
The facility aims to support community-based projects in the Overberg with conservation-related activities. The projects must relate to one or more of ABI’s four themes: environmental education, land-use planning, responsible tourism and transitioning to a Green Economy. They should also be supported by local municipalities, and later be listed on the municipalities’ Integrated Development Plans.
The schools the Sustainability Expo will visit include the Gansbaai Academia and Primary School, Hermanus High School and Zwelihle Primary School. The Expo will also be available at various community halls in the Overstrand up to May 22.
For more information, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/whalecoastconservation