About Nature Connect
Since its founding in 2001, the organisation has provided environmental education and outdoor experiences to over 188,000 children from the Cape Flats, fostering curiosity about the natural environment. Over the years, Nature Connect expanded its scope through various green skills development programmes and nature conservation projects. Most recently, the organisation launched the Sustainable Schools programme in 2021, integrating environmental education into school teaching and providing resources for teachers, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship among students.
Nature Connect has been announced as the winner of the 2024 WESSA Corporate Award, a national accolade that recognises institutions that have made significant, long-term contributions to environmental conservation or education in South Africa. The award acknowledges Nature Connect’s consistent and impactful work across multiple environmental focus areas, including:
Exceptional and sustained impact in biodiversity conservation, environmental rehabilitation and management, and invasive species control.
Community empowerment through environmental initiatives.
Youth and community education programmes that build environmental stewardship and leadership.
Nature Connect’s programmes not only restore ecosystems but also equip young people from underserved communities with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to participate in environmental work. This people-and-nature approach is central to the organisation’s mission and was a key factor in its recognition by WESSA.
“WESSA are fast approaching their 100 year anniversary, so to be recognised by them for our environmental efforts is a great honour. It is interesting how both our organisation’s recognise that one needs to involve people if you are to protect our natural world: with WESSA’s tagline being ‘People Caring for the Earth’ and ours being ‘Changing Lives through Nature’. Acknowledgement that our work is “fostering a new generation of environmental advocates and leaders in sustainable development” inspires us to dig deeper and continue to strive to make a difference in peoples lives whilst driving environmental protection. We salute WESSA’s efforts of care and, amongst the busyness of that, recognising others working towards the same.” said Anthony Roberts, CEO at Nature Connect.
The WESSA Corporate Award adds to a growing list of honours recognising Nature Connect’s contribution to youth development, conservation, and environmental education in South Africa.