Blog
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.
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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...
Penguin Awareness Day 2019
With the approach of January 20th, the conservation community is celebrating Penguin Awareness Day. Before I get into penguin awareness, I would like to just explain the importance of all...
From Crawfish to Mosquito fish
After leaving Natures Valley a little over a week ago, I already miss waking up to the sound of birds outside my window, swimming in the estuary, the zebra fudge squares from Nature’s Way...
How the Refuse Movement is The Best Way to Stop Microplastics Getting into The Ocean
Recycling is not a new concept, but it has definitely gained momentum and has also become more mainstream and while of course it's better to recycle than just throw all your waste into a landfill...
Nurdles: not your average ocean plastic
Nurdles are so small that even when you're looking for them they can be hard to see.
Someone with an interest in ocean or coastal conservation may have heard of a nurdle, a common type of...