To mark this year’s World Environment Day, the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve partnered with the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism (DEDEAT) and the Makana Local Municipality to raise awareness about the importance of recycling. The campaign targeted schools and communities in the Makana area, encouraging residents to take simple, practical steps toward improved waste management.
Learners participated in interactive workshops on recycling and reusing materials, while community members attended sessions on household waste separation, composting, and strategies to prevent illegal dumping. The initiative aimed to equip people with basic, practical skills to care for their environment and reduce waste going to landfills.
This campaign highlighted the power of collaboration in protecting natural spaces while educating the public on the importance of responsible waste management practices. It also reinforced the role of protected areas, such as the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, as spaces not only for biodiversity conservation but also for community upliftment and environmental education.
By bringing together government, community, and conservation stakeholders, this awareness drive made a meaningful contribution to creating cleaner, healthier communities in the Eastern Cape.
