Cape Town celebrated its first Junior River Warden programme. Deputy Mayor and MMC for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews joined the Biodiversity Management branch to recognise the learners from Red River Primary, Floreat Primary and Ysterplaat Primary who are participating in the programme.
The environmental education initiative focused on creative projects, hands-on activities and community engagement for learners to gain practical conservation experience while linking this work to school subjects such as Natural Sciences, Geography and Life Orientation.
Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews said that the new Junior River Warden Programme is an innovative environmental education initiative for learners studying in Grades 5 and 6. It inroduces them to the importance of rivers, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems in Cape Town.
The schools targeted are all situated close to the vleis with an aim to build environmentally conscious young leaders with a deep respect for natural resources and a sense of responsibility for protecting them.
Reportedly, the Junior River Wardens were awarded badges for the work they have completed thus far on Friday, Oct 03, 2025. A key feature of the programme is the badge system, which reinforces programme content while recognising achievement. Each badge represents a theme-based conservation task, based on the presented topics.
This approach gives learners a visible recognition that motivates ongoing participation and provides clear milestones by connecting classroom knowledge with real-world practices.
Considering this, Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews said that the outcomes extend beyond the environmental awareness. With this, participants developed sustainable habits, leadership qualities and transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving.
They also developed technical competencies in biodiversity monitoring, water testing and environmental reporting that will also be of great benefit one day. Andrews said that he believes that the badge system structures the learning into progressive achievements, which helps them in building confidence while preparing them for future opportunities.
Learners from grade-7 onwards will be encouraged to continue their journey through the Nature Connect Conservation Leaders Programme, which will create continuity and a pathway into the River Warden Skills Development Programme and conservation careers.
The initiative nurtured the environmental stewardship and contributed to youth empowerment, job creation and broader green economy goals for Cape Town.