WESSA - 90 Years of People Caring for the Earth

introduction to WESSA

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa is a South African environmental organisation that aims to initiate and support high impact environmental and conservation projects to promote public participation in caring for the earth. For 90 years WESSA has proactively engaged with the challenges and opportunities presented by South Africa’s unique natural heritage and the social and economic systems that depend on it. The environmental crisis that we face is directly the result of how humans live on this planet; this human-centred crisis requires a human-centred response. WESSA believes that working towards meaningful and sustainable capacity building solutions together is the most effective and inclusive way of bringing about the social change required to enable individuals, communities and government to make more sustainable lifestyle and environmental management choices. WESSA has become a leading implementer of environmental initiatives in Southern Africa. These include the Eco-Schools programme involving more than 500 000 learners across nine South African provinces; the Blue Flag programme which focuses on the environmental management of beaches and coastal waters; environmental education and training to address South Africa’s skills shortage; the conservation of life-supporting biodiversity and water resources; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and the WESSA Rhino and Elephant initiatives. WESSA continues to be a motivating force behindmanyof SouthAfrica’smost significant environmental decisions. WESSA proactively strives to shape environmental policy, and to ensure compliance by keeping a watchful eye on the South African environment through its extensive network of offices, members, branches and Friends Groups. WESSA is represented on many national and regional conservation bodies and investigatory commissions, and is a founder member of the IUCN. WESSA is a Section 21 company registered as an Incorporated Association not for gain.

2 | 90 years of people caring for the earth

3 | 90 years of people caring for the earth