Lapalala Wilderness School new campus receives Net Zero Carbon Building Certification
Lapalala Wilderness School recently celebrated the official opening of its new environmentally friendly campus situated in the Waterberg Biosphere. A superb eco-built campus, it comes as no surprise their receipt of a Net Zero Carbon Building Certification from The Green Building Association of South Africa. This is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with an environmentally friendly approach in new building projects.
This new campus has been funded by the Parker family and the Mapula Trust, under the guidance and direction of Duncan Parker, son of Dale Parker, who together with well-known environmentalist and artist Clive Walker, were the original founders of the well-known Lapalala Wilderness Reserve thirty-seven years ago.
Their vision to create and nurture future conservation champions and environmental leaders has indeed become a reality as this 5 x year building project was made possible together with the assistance of like-minded environmentalists Gianni Ravazzotti and the Italtile Foundation.
The layout and design of the campus intentionally makes efficient and creative use of space and energy, with both common and private areas blending in well with the natural landscape.
Net Zero Certification focuses on carbon, water, waste, and ecology, and the Lapalala Wilderness School campus met all the requirements for the certification.
Soil from foundation excavations was used to create rammed earth walls, which are aesthetically pleasing and provide natural insulation and effective noise reduction.
All power is generated on-site via a hybrid integrated solar power system with batteries. Water is sourced from two boreholes, rainwater is harvested into tanks, and wastewater is collected, treated, and reused.
Indigenous grasses, succulents, medicinal plants, and a vegetable garden have been planted to beautify, educate, treat, and feed the learners at the school.
In partnership with the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, the school offers tertiary-level students the opportunity to complete the practical components of their conservation qualifications.
Today the Lapalala Wilderness School is run by its Director, Mashudu Makhokha, and a dedicated team of educators. “Our vision is to teach young people the concepts of conservation, ecology, the protection of wild creatures, wild landscapes and the natural resources of our environment.
Lapalala Wilderness School is an educational institution like no other. It uses the environment as its classroom to deliver learning that has the potential to create lasting change in both learners and the world in which they live,” he says with enthusiasm.
The experience at the school encourages an appreciation and love of nature via interpretive river walks, game drives, stargazing, spoor identification, and informative conservation and wildlife talks. Practical skills include creating food gardens, beekeeping, tree planting, water and energy audits, and how to recycle, repurpose or reuse waste material.
The knowledge and skills gained at the Lapalala Wilderness School empower the youth to share what they have learned and to play an active part in making a difference in the many challenges facing our planet.
?Ends For media enquiries, contact: Lesley Simpson (LSC), Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail: lesley@lscpr.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 804 0110
