Mandela Day 2025: Where education meets conservation action
The Perfect Location
Pebbles Academy sits in one of the world’s most botanically rich locations, Hemel-en-Aarde, surrounded by the same extraordinary biodiversity that inspired Creation’s conservation efforts. With over 9,000 plant species in our backyard and 70% of them found nowhere else on Earth, Pebbles students have the unique opportunity to become guardians of plants that exist only here.
Starting the Transformation
The plan is to convert the Pebbles Academy garden into a thriving indigenous sanctuary where students will learn practical skills while directly contributing to plant conservation. Following Creation’s model of environmental stewardship, we’re ready to create a space where education meets conservation action.
Students will learn to:
- Master the ‘no dig’ method – protecting soil microbes while growing resilient plants
- Propagate vulnerable species such as Chasmanthe floribunda (cobra lily) and Erica verticillata (whorl heath)
- Create pollinator patches that connect with neighbouring gardens
- Cultivate aromatic treasures – buchus and pelargoniums that thrive in our climate
- Practise water-wise gardening using local techniques
- Replace alien vegetation with indigenous alternatives
Calling Local Fynbos Gardeners to Start This Journey!
We need you on Mandela Day (18 July) to help launch this transformation by sharing your knowledge with the next generation. Whether you’re growing pelargoniums along the Hermanus Cliff Path, nurturing rare buchus, or simply passionate about our local flora, your expertise can kickstart this conservation journey.
Bring:
- Plant cuttings and seeds to get us started
- Your knowledge of local growing conditions
- Stories of why indigenous plants matter
- Hands-on demonstration skills
Beginning Our Conservation Corridor
Let’s start creating a stepping stone for wildlife movement through the Hemel-en-Aarde valley – connecting with Creation’s conservation areas, neighbouring gardens, and the broader fynbos landscape.
Join us in making 67 minutes count toward 67 years of impact
Contact: Salome@creationwines.com When: Mandela Day, 18 July 2025 Where: Pebbles Academy, Hemel-en-Aarde Partners: Creation Wines & Botanical Society of South Africa with Pebbles Skills Development Centre!
‘Together, let’s nurture our next generation’s deep appreciation for the extraordinary beauty and irreplaceable value of our fynbos heritage.’