The Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Program (SKEP) was initiated in 2001 in an effort to help preserve the natural beauty along the Western coast of Southern Africa. Since then the program has set itself a target to protect 135 species of plant and numerous globally threatened animal species by the year 2021. SKEP is hosted by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) with Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, the government of Japan, Macarthur Foundation and the World Bank.

What is SKEP doing?

SKEP has recently launched a new awareness campaign, linked directly with the opening of the Sperrgebiet National Park which encompasses several different activities and projects based along the Lüderitz coastline. This includes:

• Developing a tourist information system and tour guide service in Aus

• Surveying wild brown hyenas in order to gain a better understanding of the animals habitat and behaviour (research run by Ingrid Wisel)

• Initiating a number of educational environmental awareness projects within schools in Lüderitz and Aus.

Activities include studying animals native to Namibia, visiting areas of specific natural beauty and encouraging care of the natural environment by carrying out various clean up operations.

Luderitz Schools First to Visit Bogenfels

On the 24th of January learners from Diaz Primary School and Helene Van Rhijn Primary School were the first to visit Bogenfels archway as part of a joint-venture between the Namdeb, the Southern Star Cluster schools and funding from SKEP. Learners were there to observe the rehabilitation of the succulents by Namdeb, to learn 5 more about the special plants (endemic) and to start gaining an awareness of the need for conservation of Namibia’s flora and fauna. The first visits will have a total 126 learners over a period of three weekends.

Learners From Brightstart Montessori Help Clean Up Desert

Tuesday the 11th February saw a group of around 40 children aged between 6 and 13 from Brightstart Montessori begin a month long litter pick operation along the road out to Agate Beach. Children were armed with rubber gloves and bin bags and spread out along the dusty roadside, picking up anything from plastic bottles to old tin cans. The two hour session was one of four weekly clean ups carried out throughout February in accordance with the SKEP educational program. Later in the year students will learn about the unique plant and animal life of the Sperrgebiet Park area.