Data collected by the Iimbovane Outreach project contributed to an recent article that was published in the scientific journal, PLoS One. The paper titled, The Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes do not have exceptional local ant richness, investigated the species richness of local ant communities in the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes.

Welcome Melanie de Morney

On the 22nd February, the Iimbovane project team set out on their first sampling event of 2012. With a Toyota packed with field equipment and supplies, the team travelled up the N1, N2 and N7 to visit secondary schools where Grade 10 learners helped the project team with the collection of ants.

It is not often that one gets to meet a high profile personality but the Iimbovane project team was recently honoured when the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms. Naledi Pandor visited their laboratory on 21 February 2012 to engage with the Iimbovane team.

The Iimbovane Outreach Project held a training session for learners from one of their partnerships schools, to help these learners develop microscopy skills.