Learning something new in the Skukuza Biological Reference Collection
Engaging with high school students at National Science Week Launch 2023.
Much of the rich natural history of the Kruger National Park has been inventoried in the Skukuza Museum-Herbarium facility, which houses ~25 000 biological specimens. The reference collection serves as an invaluable and indispensable asset to the Kruger National Park and all those who visit. Post-covid, the Skukuza Biological Reference Collection has received substantial attention from various international and national universities, schools and other groups. Students and visiting groups are able to gain knowledge and understanding related to Kruger’s natural history and biological diversity and the need to protect it. Apart from visiting groups, students requiring mentorship, especially in the form of practical skills (e.g. floral and faunal identifications, plant collection and preparation within a herbarium setting, data standardisation and databasing techniques, among others) have benefitted from visiting the facility.
Mentorship at the facility: Ikakeng
The Skukuza Herbarium serves as an important storage facility that allows for the housing of a series of reference collections. I was oriented on the functions of the Skukuza Biological Reference Collection by the curator, Nikisha Singh. The orientation included specimen identification, mounting and labelling processes, use of the BRAHMS database, pest control regulations, as well as educational facilitation. The herbarium serves as an essential part of conservation as it allows for concise record-keeping of the species occurring in the Kruger National Park. Exposure to the facilities and functions of the reference collection within KNP allow for a greater understanding of the importance of preserving each species. Experiences that encourage the expansion of knowledge as a student form part of our career-building process. The knowledge afforded to me during the orientation trickled down into all the various interests and fields I seek to take part in. More than anything, the experience allowed me to have a profound respect for all species in our continuous pursuit to preserve and conserve.
We have recently formed further collaborations with the Social and Economic Transformation Unit in Skukuza, to complement educational facilitation by offering presentations to larger university groups. Additionally, we had the opportunity of exhibiting the reference collection in collaboration with the Natural Science Collection Facility (NSCF) at the Launch of National Science Week held at the University of Venda between the 21 and 22 July 2023. At the launch, we had the privilege of engaging with high school learners on the importance of science-related careers, more specifically on careers in natural science collections. It was a successful first for the reference collection. Going forward, workshops and presentations that tie in with specific environmental days will be planned and implemented, especially for school groups.
The Skukuza reference collection plays an integral role in education through experiental learning. South African Wildlife College (SAWC) students learn about the importance of preserving herbarium specimens.
This article was originally published in the 2022/2023 Research Report.
