Youth living in the environs of the World Natural Heritage Site, Isimangaliso Wetland Park participate in a 4 day certified Young Environmental Ambassador adventure program to learn to love nature and gain awareness of how to protect their community's rare fragile forests. They return home to inspire their peers to form Eco-clubs in their schools. Their mission is also to distribute seeds and information about food security to encourage the development of sustainable organic home gardens.
Children in our rural area are situated in the catchment of False Bay, a magnificent lake in The World Natural Heritage Site, Isimangaliso Wetland Park. The communities in this area are expanding rapidly and protected sand forest trees that are hundreds of years old, are being felled for fuel or to plant crops that are unsustainable. Sanitation needs attention and water is scarce. Wildlife is poached for food or the bushmeat trade. They experience a rapid loss of biodiversity.
Each month 3 groups of 12 senior children are selected by their schools, to participate in a 5 day certified environmental leadership eco-camp. They learn how an appreciation of natural resources holds the key to protecting their environment and they are equipped to become environmental leaders. They return to their schools to share their knowledge by setting up school eco-clubs, distributing seeds to their community, and sharing skills of how to develop organic home gardens.
The course we provide offers an understanding of biodiversity protection, water and sanitation management, humane management of animals, and leadership skills to teenagers who have been identified as leaders within their local communities. The knowledge they gain is passed on to their peers and absorbed within the community. As the youth are the leaders of tomorrow they will help ensure that their World Natural Heritage Site and its catchment are appreciated and protected in Perpetuity.
