It is the vision of both MMAEP and Birdlife SA to encourage all communities to take pride in our rich natural heritage and to facilitate educational field trips to local Birding sites.

The African Bird of Prey Sanctuary  in Ashburton, is a great experience, providing learners with opportunities to get really close to birds, like vultures, fish eagle, goshawk, wood owls, yellow billed kite, marsh owls, spotted eagle owl. The centre rehabilitates birds with the intention of returning as many as possible to the wild.  The learners explore on their own finding things out for themselves on the detailed information boards and watching a demonstration of falconery. On previous trips, learners have  expressed their astonishment that such special places existed so close to their schools.    “Now I know that it is wrong to kill the birds, something that I used not to know, but now I know.” Commented one Grade 7 learner.  All partners are hoping that the trips will not only transfer vital conservation knowledge but also provide positive role models for the youngsters.

To ensure that the outings are effective learning experiences, MMAEP facilitators conduct lessons on bird identification before the trip and follow up with creative lessons to reinforce the new knowledge.
Learners list of all the birds that they know, and list the characteristics of those birds. We discuss how the characteristics of birds  differ and how these can be used to identify the species. The learners are each given a Zulu/English bird field guide, and a set of worksheets examining the different beak and feet types of birds, to complete. After familiarising themselves with some of the species, we go  outside into the school grounds for some serious bird watching.

After the outing, inspired by what they have seen and experienced, learners draw colourful birds using simple shapes and re-create some of the birds they saw on their trips, in sculpture, using waste resources.  Principal of Nottingham Road Combined, Thami Sokhela, expressed his astonishment at recent post-birding trip art “I am amazed at what you have got our learners to make out of waste. It is incredible – birds that you cannot imagine. You have done so much for our school inspiring those who are keen to learn.”

The Midlands Meander Education Project works in 12 KZN Midlands schools, supporting their efforts to achieve Eco-Schools status through curriculum support and creative lessons. Besides environmental education lessons on subjects varying from Natural Disasters to Reptiles to Renewable Energy, the MMAEP also spends days co-teaching creative lessons which include paper making, cultural art and bird sculpture.  Food gardens are an important part of the project, with many schools requesting composting, seed germination and companion planting lessons in an attempt to get their gardens flourishing.  We firmly believe that Respect for all components of our world - frogs, dogs, children, trees and birds is essential and facilitate regular discussions focussed on important Values, such as Tolerance, Peace and Love.

For more information about our work visit www.mmaep.co.za