Crafting Sustainable Wetland Monitoring Water Level Sticks: My Journey



During my Nature Connect Learnership at Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area, I embarked on a project to create water level sticks using recycled materials. Recognising the environmental impact of traditional metal markers, I endeavoured to innovate using repurposed plastic bottle caps and PVC pipes.

The idea originated from my desire to mitigate plastic waste while addressing the practical need for reliable water level markers. With this vision in mind, I decided to utilise PVC pipe and recycled bottle caps as markers. To source the materials, I embarked on a beach trip, where discarded bottle caps were abundant, emphasising the environmental imperative of repurposing materials.



Back in my workspace, located at home, I meticulously spaced out the bottle caps along the PVC pipe, ensuring accuracy in measurements. Each cap was strategically placed every 10 centimetres to facilitate precise water level monitoring. This phase underscored the importance of attention to detail in executing sustainable projects.



Seeking feedback to optimise the design, I refined the water level sticks to ensure visibility from all angles and adaptability to varying water levels. This involved slicing the bottle caps through the centre and affixing them to the PVC pipe, guaranteeing visibility from all angles. Additionally, I committed to scaling the project by creating six more sticks to monitor seasonal wetlands effectively.



The culmination of my efforts was marked by the deployment of the water level sticks in the field within the Kennilworth Racecourse Conservation Area. Setting up the sticks was an exciting moment, symbolising the practical application of my sustainable solution. As a participant in the Nature Connect Learnership, I eagerly await the results, anticipating the positive impact of my environmentally conscious initiative on the conservation area's seasonal wetlands.




My journey in crafting sustainable wetland monitoring water level sticks exemplifies the power of individual initiative in driving environmental innovation. By repurposing discarded materials and embracing sustainable practices, I not only addressed a practical need but also contributed to environmental conservation efforts within the Kennilworth Racecourse Conservation Area. This project serves as a testament to the transformative potential of sustainable initiatives in safeguarding our natural ecosystems.

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