Blog
Paper Shells and Surfing Sea Creatures
What are winters in Nature’s Valley if not the perfect time to comb the coastline, at sunrise, for the most delicate paper nautilus shells. Argonauta argo or the ‘paper nautilus’, so called...
Great Expectations
Having already spent six months of the year away from home on my university placement, I was a little hesitant to leave again, especially as my previous two three-month trips were such a success!...
“With a little help from my friends”
(In 1967, this song was released by the Beatles for the 10th Anniversary of International Friendship Day)
What is International Friendship Day?
First proposed by the founder of Hallmark Cards,...
International Tiger Day 2019
“The Tiger Who Came To Tea”
(‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’ is a well-known and well-loved children’s book from Britain. The author, Judith Kerr, died aged 95 in May this year. The book...
Beautiful Ocean Encounters, Fun and Hard Work
Before I even left Germany, to start my internship with Nature's Valley Trust, I struggled for 6 months to get the 5 months visa and I spent a lot of energy, time and money on it. So, all I could...
I Left a Boy and Came Back a Man
Natures Valley Trust is not just an organisation, but an embodiment of hard work and dedication that can only be created by the kind of people that reside within its local community. Before I...
Land Degradation Neutrality – achievable or not?
What is desertification?
Desertification is the degradation of previously fertile land in semi-arid, arid and dry sub-humid areas, also known as dryland ecosystems. These areas cover over one...
#dontspoiltheendgame
Spoilers to my former self
Firstly I’d like to commend you for making this brave decision to come here, your courage and sense of adventure amazes me (well amazes you, same thing).
1st...
“Every Breath You Take…”
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY – 5th JUNE 2019 – “BEAT AIR POLLUTION”
Approximately 7 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from air pollution, with about 4 million of these deaths...
Diatoms of the Groot River, and other ingredients that made a freshwater ecologist
My grandmother must have loved this mountain. As I sit on the back stoep of our little wooden house in Forest Drive looking up at the mountain, in which shadow this little town lies, I try hard to...
PARADISE - 2 week at NVT
Before I got to the valley
I flew from Birmingham (UK) via Dubai to Johannesburg - Jan 22nd. I spent 6 weeks living with my cousin, in Tarleton - about 2 hours drive from the airport OR Tambo. ...
World Earth Day 2019 - In Your Hands
"The continuation of our civilisations, and the natural world upon which we depend, is in your hands." Sir David Attenborough.
Earth Day has been celebrated annually - 22nd April, since 1970.
read more
World Whale Day 2019 – Giants of the Ocean
Humback Whale Photo credit: Dr. Gwen Penry
Did you know, the largest animal to ever live on earth is the Blue Whale. It is so massive that their tongue alone can weigh as much as an elephant,...
Earthworm day 2019 NO SMALL MATTER!
Earthworm day 2019 NO SMALL MATTER!
by Elelwani Makhuva
Today is Earthworm day! You may be wondering what on earth is Earthworm day and why should you care?
To me earthworm day is about acknowledging...
World Environmental Education Day 2019
In a world that caters to the needs of a constantly growing population, the environment rarely comes first; every day more urban areas arise, and more rural areas are developed. Environmental...