WINDHOEK: The Gobabeb Research and Training Centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary next month.

Gobabeb is an environmental research centre and is located in the Namib-Naukluft Park, in the Namib Desert.

The nearest town, Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region is about 120 kilometres away.

In celebrating the event, an open day is scheduled to take place on 22 September 2012, according to the organisers of the event.

Amongst others, scientific posters, talks, demonstrations and excursions will be available at different venues at, and surrounding Gobabeb throughout the day.

Nature walks and a guided cultural walk combined with a demonstration of the !nara harvesting will help participants to learn more about the environment and our neighbours.

The !nara is a thorny shrub that is endemic to the Namib Desert. The fruit are harvested as a valuable food source by the Topnaar (#Aonin) living along the Kuiseb river.

Station tours will include the latest publications in the library and the latest energy solutions including the expanded solar array.

A scavenger hunt with hints and answers scattered throughout Gobabeb.

A volleyball tournament will take place throughout the day with final awards and cup presentation announced at dinner.

Displays of live organisms from the different biomes around Gobabeb will feature a variety of reptiles and other interesting creatures.

Videos taken from around Gobabeb by a variety of photographers ranging back to 1976 including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and National Geographic will be shown on a regular schedule.

The swimming pool will be open with attendant lifeguard and kiddies programmes arranged at intervals.

Since 1962, Gobabeb has been an environmental research centre and is involved in training, sustainable development, appropriate technology, education, and environmental awareness projects.