Owlproject.org help Charterhouse Preparatory create sustainable environment for owls

Charterhouse Preparatory is contributing to a sustainable environment for their area’s wildlife.

Together with Owlproject.org and Eco-Solutions, the school’s Grade 7 classes built several owl boxes to give a cozy home to the majestic winged beasts. Owlproject.org is an organisation that aims to debunk myths and superstitions around owls through educational talks and demonstrations at schools while Eco-Solutions specialises in providing environmentally friendly alternatives to poisonous pest control.

Many rural and disadvantaged communities still harbour cultural beliefs that place the owl population in danger. An owl landing on one’s roof has been said to bring bad luck and even death, a myth Owlproject.org worked hard to demystify in order to prevent communities killing the creatures. Rodent populations can flourish in areas where litter and waste is improperly disposed of, creating a natural feeding area for owls.

In the cauldron of the their technology, ‘Digi-Den’ Charterhouse Preparatory’s Grade 7s created five owl boxes which were collected by Owlproject.org Project Coordinators Jordan Hardey and Hussein Moyo on November 23. The brainchild of Charterhouse teacher Daniela Gomes, the grade was split into various small groups who were each assigned a task and were responsible for relaying instructions onto the next team for them to complete their portion.

The Grade 7s revealed how this helped improved their communication, problem solving and planning skills as well as requiring large doses of patience. They are now part of the 260 000 children across the world who have either learned of or contributed to Owlproject.org’s mission in the 20 years since their inception.

“If we create an owl-friendly child that then becomes an owl-friendly adult who creates an owl-friendly environment,” said Jordan.

Of the five boxes, four were taken by Owlproject.org to set up in various areas and one stayed behind to be secured to trees near the middle of the school grounds. Owl boxes need to be at least four meters off the ground with the opening clear of any branches or other obstacles. An owls feeding territory can range between 500 meters and one kilometer and schools are perfect spots for owl boxes as they are undisturbed at night and provide many feeding opportunities in close proximity.

Part of Owlproject.org’s work includes pellet dissections which help determine the rate at which the owl’s feeds as this analysis of regurgitated remains is an indicator of the size of the rodent population in any area. The owls own population is often proportionate as the female breeds at a rate relevant to the availability of food, a signal to ourselves to be conscious of our consumption habits.