BotSoc sprouts anew in GRBG

Many feet have walked the pathways of the Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG) over the past 20 years or so. Not too many know the story behind this unique garden, and how a small group of determined citizens made it happen.

It all begins with the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc), first established in 1913 to oversee the development of Kirstenbosch in Cape Town.

The NPO, operating through regional branches across the country, first arrived in the Garden Route in 1992. Amidst many environmental activities, the need for a botanical garden to conserve the indigenous flora of the South Cape region was soon identified.

What followed were two decades of sweat, tears and triumph as key BotSoc members (many now in their 60s, 70s and 80s!) worked tirelessly to raise funds and turn the once alien plant-invaded, crime-riddled public park into the independent safe haven and beautiful living library it is today.

The life of the branch has ebbed and flowed, as is the nature of NPOs that rely on volunteers and donated Nature Conservation students of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) do some weeding of the GRBG nursery plants. funds.

The new wave of young environmentalists taking up the staff of BotSoc Garden Route hope to breathe fresh air and energy into the region.

The branch’s first initiative has already begun - a weekly volunteer day at the GRBG Prop Yard, aimed at expanding the facility so it can provide more indigenous species to the public via its nursery and develop a special new flowerbed aimed at bee conservation and education.

“We started with four people in the last week of January, and now we have about 30 volunteers,” says JoAnne King, interim chairperson of the new branch.

The public is invited to join the new branch’s first AGM to see what the society has planned for the upcoming months and how they can get involved.

The AGM takes place on Saturday 16 March at the Environmental Education Centre, Garden Route Botanical Garden, 49 Caledon Street in George.

Registration is from 10:00, with the meeting from 10:30 followed by a picnic from 11:30. For more information send an e-mail to grbotsoc@gmail.com.