EcoClub encourages enviromental awareness
HONEYDEW – Founder of the EcoClub Ketula Melissakis believes there are fun activities young people can enjoy outdoors while acquiring knowledge about wildlife.
The spring season is a time for residents to catch up on outdoor activities and spend more time in the environment.
EcoClub founder and Honeydew resident Ketula Melissakis (34) was inspired to create the EcoClub by her son Kevin (8) and his peers. That was when she realised that not many people know how to have fun outdoors. Melissakis grew up on a farm in Mulderdrift and has fond memories, using most of her time as an only child exploring the outdoors.
Melissakis engages young people by hosting guided tours around nature reserves and parks, and conducting talks on animal awareness, education about plants and the ecosystem.
“I realised the importance of child-led exploration and especially the natural world, which is increasingly threatened by short-sighted development and the rapid expansion of the human population,” she said.
EcoClub activities aren’t only based on educating children about the environment, but is also focused on having fun.
“In the future some of the goals I have planned is to open an Eco-centre where some of the things young people can learn is planting vegetables in urban gardens, educate people about how to camp and create close interactions with animals,” she said.
Melissakis will host a hike and picnic at the Kloofendale Nature Reserve on 21 September where the theme for the day will be the solar system and the importance of snakes in the ecosystem. The activities on the day will include making snake sticks, a talk on snake safety, and a picnic.
Details: Ketula Melissakis 082 789 7881.
