From Friday, 11 July to Sunday, 13 July 2025, Iimbovane, in collaboration with the education team of the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve, hosted a youth camp for learners to develop important conservation and life skills.

Every year, on 15 July, the world celebrates World Youth Skills Day to highlight the importance of empowering young people with practical, transferable skills for employment. This weekend’s camp reflected that mission by providing learners with direct experience in biodiversity conservation work, environmental education, and collaborative problem-solving.

The camp started on Friday afternoon with a warm welcome from the Iimbovane team. After settling in, learners attended a safety briefing and rules session, creating a respectful and supportive atmosphere for the weekend.

On Saturday, the real learning began. The morning was dedicated to vegetation studies, where learners used fieldwork equipment to determine vegetation height and species cover in sites that were recently burned, sites that were covered in 15-year-old fynbos, and sites that were covered in invasive alien plants.

After lunch, learners rolled up their sleeves for alien vegetation clearing, physically removing Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) and Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) trees. This activity not only contributed to conservation efforts but also taught learners about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of restoring natural habitats.

The day concluded with a short sunset hike, where the group enjoyed a spectacular view over Wellington — a moment of reflection and appreciation for the landscape they helped rid of invasive alien plants.

On Sunday, the learners experienced how science connects to conservation. The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve team led a series of engaging science experiments sparking the learners’ curiosity and creative thinking.

To close the weekend, learners presented their findings and reflections, sharing what they had learned about local biodiversity, conservation, and community action.

This camp was about more than just removing alien plants—it was about building real-world skills, such as:

• Teamwork and collaboration skills
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Public speaking and presentation confidence
• Scientific observation
• A sense of environmental responsibility

These experiences directly supported the goals of World Youth Skills Day, showing how biodiversity education can empower young people to become future leaders in sustainability.