WESSA
| Environmental movement in South Africa |
|---|
| Organisations |
| Conferences |
WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) is a leading implementer of high-impact environmental, training and education initiatives in South Africa. A trusted project partner with a proud, 90-year history of enabling individuals and organisations to use natural resources sustainably. Priority areas of WESSA's work include managing the international education and tourism eco-labels of Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Green Key; critical work skills training; facilitating experiential learning at four education centres; and protecting biodiversity and water resources through effective Invasive Alien Plant clearing projects.
WESSA is also working to develop an empowered and enthused youth sector and, as a UNESCO partner, we are supporting education for sustainable development across the southern African region.
Previously known as the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa and still earlier as Wild Life Protection and Conservation Society, WESSA was established in 1926, but its origins go back to the 1890s.
Relevance to establishment of other conservation bodies
The organisation in 1926 – largely through the efforts and support of Sydney Skaife[1] materialising in 1929 in the establishment of the Wild Life Protection and Conservation Society – helped to establish the National Parks Board of South Africa, and the (official) proclamation of the Kruger National Park.
Activities
Nationally WESSA produces two magazines:
- Environment - People and Conservation in Africa has replaced African Wildlife.
- EnviroKids, started as an insert in African Wildlife in 1972, became Toktokkie magazine in 1976, and changed name to EnviroKids magazine in 1998. The intent is to promote environmental awareness in children.
Each Region produces its own monthly or bi-monthly newsletter.
WESSA participates in the activities of the international Foundation for Environmental Education and has earned several of its Blue Flag beach certifications.
WESSA supports the international Eco-Schools Programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education. The South African effort was launched in 2003.
WESSA is also an integral part of the international environmental community. WESSA is a founder member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), works with UNESCO towards strengthening their Global Action Programme for Sustainable Development, and have also implemented the SADC Regional Environmental Education Project (SADC-REEP) in southern Africa for over 20 years.
- ↑ Skaife, S. H., "A Naturalist Remembers", Pub. Longmans, Cape Town, 1963