Botanical Gardens Plant Project - South Africa

only  £1975

Botanical Gardens Plant Project

Ref:

GYC 2243

Countries:

South Africa

Duration:

3 Months

  

or call:

0845 3 447 585

more info:

click here

 

This placement would suit:

Anyone who is either studying horticulture or is a qualified horticulturist. However, if you have a passion for South African flora, you may be considered suitable. As on all conservation placements, you need to be adventurous and adaptable. Naturally you need to love and care about plants and you should also respect them and their environment.

 

Cost details:

Cost varies depending on which accommodation you choose

 

   

Product Details

Outstandingly beautiful, exotic, fascinating, world-renowned... There aren't enough words to describe this most glorious of botanical gardens.

If you're into horticulture, or have an avid interest in Southern African plants, you'll be in heaven on this placement.

Imagine a Mediterranean climate, with enough rain to grow just about anything, and lots of sunshine to produce the most beautiful blooms ... and you have Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It consists of landscaped gardens of indigenous plants and trees, watered by the Liesbeek River, as well as natural forest that extends up the lower slopes.

Kirstenbosch covers an area of 828ha, 60ha of which are cultivated; the remainder is a natural flora reserve. It is a living display featuring 4,700 of the estimated 20,000 species of indigenous South African flora, and close to 50 per cent of the Peninsula's floral wealth. In the cultivated area, related plants are grouped together and radiate from the central lawns like the spokes of a wheel.

There are so many interesting sections in Kirstenbosch (far too numerous to list here). Among the interesting sections here are the Cycad Amphitheatre, which hosts most species of these 'living fossils' found in southern Africa; the famed Protea Garden on the higher slopes, with its profuse growth of silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum); the JV Mathews Rock Garden (named after the first curator) containing succulents of the genera Crassula, Aloe, Lampranthus and Euphorbia; the Erica Garden and the Pelargonium Koppie.

Europe's 10,000 species of plants have been well exploited for medicinal purposes but many of the 21,000 species found in South Africa are yet to be explored for their potential uses. The Cape sub-region houses the richest diversity of plants per square metre than anywhere else in the world. Most of the plants are endemic i.e. found nowhere else on earth. The Cape plants have their own classification known as the world's Sixth Floral Kingdom, comprising over 2,500 different species known broadly as Fynbos.

Your work
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this project is that you'll be working with well-respected experts in Horticulture and you'll learn a tremendous amount. You will fit in with Kirstenbosch's work schedule within the gardens and thereby get exposure to all parts of this fascinating Botanical Gardens. The work is wide-ranging, from planting to propagating, to collecting samples, to plant identification - and anything else that may be required at the time you're there. You may also be invited to join plant collection trips to different parts of the country, where possible.

You'll have weekends free and if you need free time to undertake a trip or do some studying, the management are very flexible and understanding.

Accommodation
Depending on availability at the time of your project, you may stay in a cottage on site in the Botanical Gardens.  You would then share with other volunteers, both from Travellers and local South African students. You would need to prepare your own meals (or share the preparation with other volunteers), but you'll be given a budget to buy food supplies.

Transport is not prolific, but volunteers usually solve this problem by pooling their resources or assisting one another.

If accommodation is not available in the on-site cottage, you'll either be placed with a local family, where food will be provided, or you'll live in a very comfortable guest house.

Travellers' placements are very flexible & can be combined with any other Travellers placement & tailor made to your own requirements!

only  £1975

Travellers Worldwide

YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! Help children, animals and conservation around the world. Gain valuable work experience and new skills. All ages & nationalities welcome. EXPLORE a new culture from the inside on worthwhile, well-structured projects.

FLEXIBLE: From two weeks to one year - you choose your dates and duration.

  

or call:

0845 3 447 585