{"id":9565,"date":"2025-12-16T08:02:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T06:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/?p=9565"},"modified":"2025-12-16T08:19:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T06:19:05","slug":"bm2025-26-wetlands-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/?p=9565","title":{"rendered":"BM2025\/26 Wetlands Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Web Report by Luyanda Nkosi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>17&nbsp;October&nbsp;2025&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Arrival&nbsp;and&nbsp;Introduction;  We arrived safely on Friday, 17 October, for the&nbsp;Bushveld Mosaic Wetlands Module.&nbsp;The&nbsp;atmosphere&nbsp;was&nbsp;lively&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;group&nbsp;was&nbsp;excited,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;because this module did not require a written assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many students, it was their first time visiting&nbsp;Kgaswane Nature Reserve, and the&nbsp;common&nbsp;sentiment&nbsp;was&nbsp;that&nbsp;the&nbsp;reserve&nbsp;was&nbsp;exceptionally&nbsp;well&nbsp;maintained&nbsp;and absolutely beautiful. The campsite also received positive remarks, with everyone settling in comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;Grassland&nbsp;Group&nbsp;was&nbsp;assigned&nbsp;fire&nbsp;duty&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;evening.&nbsp;After&nbsp;dinner,&nbsp;students prepared themselves for the exciting wetlands weekend ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>18&nbsp;October&nbsp;2025&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Rainy&nbsp;Morning,&nbsp;Practical&nbsp;Activities,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Game&nbsp;Drive; Saturday&nbsp;morning&nbsp;began&nbsp;with&nbsp;rain,&nbsp;cloud&nbsp;cover,&nbsp;and&nbsp;light&nbsp;showers,&nbsp;so&nbsp;the&nbsp;group attended&nbsp;indoor&nbsp;lectures&nbsp;until&nbsp;the&nbsp;weather&nbsp;cleared.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6190-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Wetlands Module is known for its hands-on approach, with multiple field activities that the group always enjoys. Thanks to the rainy conditions, we were able&nbsp;to&nbsp;perform&nbsp;the&nbsp;water&nbsp;filtration&nbsp;exercise,&nbsp;which&nbsp;required&nbsp;building&nbsp;a&nbsp;model&nbsp;wetland environment. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6204.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Both groups found this task interactive, informative, and enjoyable..&nbsp;Once&nbsp;the&nbsp;rain&nbsp;cleared,&nbsp;we proceeded with the outdoor practicals.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6232.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Later in the afternoon, Peter and Andre treated us to a \u201csundowner,\u201d offering a relaxing\u00a0break\u00a0after\u00a0the\u00a0busy\u00a0day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/HAR_5450-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Thereafter,\u00a0we\u00a0returned\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0campsite\u00a0and\u00a0went on a scenic game drive through the stunning Kgaswane Nature Reserve. We enjoyed wonderful sightings, including antelopes, including eland, warthogs and jackals, a refreshing variety compared to other reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>19\u00a0October\u00a02025\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Clear\u00a0Skies\u00a0and\u00a0Final\u00a0Assessments.\u00a0Sunday\u00a0welcomed\u00a0us\u00a0with\u00a0clear\u00a0skies\u00a0and\u00a0fresh\u00a0air,\u00a0allowing us to complete all the practical&#8217;s postponed by\u00a0Saturday\u2019s\u00a0rain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6243-2.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After\u00a0a\u00a0short\u00a0morning briefing, we planned the day and proceeded with our field tasks. The favorable weather allowed us to conduct water quality tests and a mini SASS\u00a0assessment.\u00a0A\u00a0mini SASS\u00a0Assessment\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0scoring\u00a0system\u00a0of the water quality of a stream based\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0presence or absence of various macro-invertebrate groups.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"735\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2-1024x735.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2-1024x735.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2-768x551.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2-1536x1102.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Makrointertss-2.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Surveying the river was an engaging and rewarding experience, revealing beautiful aspects of Kgaswane\u2019s rivers and mountainous terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_E6249.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once&nbsp;all&nbsp;fieldwork&nbsp;was&nbsp;completed,&nbsp;we&nbsp;returned&nbsp;to&nbsp;camp&nbsp;to&nbsp;write&nbsp;the&nbsp;open-book assessment, after which the group prepared for departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ED&#8217;s NOTE: <\/strong>Thanks Luyanda for this detailed report of the Catchments, Wetlands and Rivers weekend. Which was WET both literally and figuratively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Web Report by Luyanda Nkosi 17&nbsp;October&nbsp;2025&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;Arrival&nbsp;and&nbsp;Introduction; We arrived safely on Friday, 17 October, for the&nbsp;Bushveld Mosaic Wetlands Module.&nbsp;The&nbsp;atmosphere&nbsp;was&nbsp;lively&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;group&nbsp;was&nbsp;excited,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;because this module did not require a written assessment. For many students, it was their first time visiting&nbsp;Kgaswane Nature Reserve, and the&nbsp;common&nbsp;sentiment&nbsp;was&nbsp;that&nbsp;the&nbsp;reserve&nbsp;was&nbsp;exceptionally&nbsp;well&nbsp;maintained&nbsp;and absolutely beautiful. The campsite also received positive remarks, with everyone settling in comfortably. The&nbsp;Grassland&nbsp;Group&nbsp;was&nbsp;assigned&nbsp;fire&nbsp;duty&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;evening.&nbsp;After&nbsp;dinner,&nbsp;students prepared themselves<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/?p=9565\">Read more  &#10230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9565"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9584,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9565\/revisions\/9584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bushveld-mosaic.org.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}