To celebrate World Environment Day 2026, a group of young nature ambassadors from t and Nature Connect’s Conservation Leadership Project, took part in a survey of the Eerste River, in Stellenbosch, to investigate the distribution of invasive alien plant species and weeds.
Armed with guidebooks and GPS devices, the learners followed the river as it meandered through town, identifying the various invasive alien plants, and recording their names, coordinates, growth stages, and density.
According to the learners’ findings, the most common tree species included: Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), Long-leaved Wattle (Acacia longifolia), Willow-leaved Hakea (Hakea salifolia) and Grey Poplar (Populus canescens). The prevalent shrubs were the Tassel Flower (Amaranthus caudatus),Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii) and the Indian Shot (Canna Incica), and weeds were the Spiny Sow thistle (Sonchus asper), Curly Dock (Rumex crispus), Musk Stork’s-bill (Erodium moschatum), Goosefoot (Chenopodium murale) and Horseweed (Erigeron sumatrensis) amongst others.
Back on campus the learners made use of Google My Maps, to import their field observation data into a visual map that enable them to visualize how the invasives and weeds were spread out and how dense they were growing. Based on this data, the learners were able to make suggestions on where the different species could potentially be a threat.
By linking field observations with digital mapping tools, learners could see firsthand how mapping contributes to invasive species management.
Mishkah Mohamed, Conservation Leadership Project Co-ordinator commented:“The day transformed our learners from observers into citizen scientists. Seeing them use GPS technology, identify invasive species, and contribute to mapping efforts was both exciting and empowering.”
The Conservation Leadership Project, an initiative of Nature Connect, involves learners in environmental activities during their last four years of their schooling to broaden their views and understanding of conservation and to highlight careers in the environmental sector.
