Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Whether any nature reserve sites in the province are used for educational retreats during school holidays; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are names of the facilities utilised during the current financial year and (b) what financial figures are available?
(a) Yes, at certain of the nature reserves CapeNature has environmental education centers that are used for educational purposes. These include:
• Potberg Environmental Education Center at De Hoop Nature Reserve, near Bredasdorp;
• Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve Environmental Education Center, near Heidelberg;
• Outeniqua Nature Reserve Outdoor Learning Center in George; and
• Driftsands Nature Reserve Environmental Center in Delft, Cape Town
(b) These centers can be booked to be utilised by learners throughout the year, most bookings occur during the school terms. Nominal fees or no fees are collected depending on the circumstances of the group requesting the booking. In total, CapeNature has accommodated 543 learners during the current financial year. Potberg Environmental Education Center is the only centre that has generated income totaling R85 480.
A costing exercise of all these sites is currently in progress to assess upgrades required, requirements for the centers, possible new markets to be explored to maximise the use of these facilities, and future management of these sites.
