WESSA Annual Report 2023-2024

Highlights of our membership activities

Western Cape • Western Cape’s small grants programme, funding many local rehabilitation and clean-up events, particularly in support of affiliated Friends Groups projects. • Our runner-up for the 2023 WESSA Award for Individuals was Roger Graham, who was recognised for his outstanding contribution to local citizen conservation through his leadership of the Friends of Meadowridge Common. Eastern Cape • Algoa Bay Branch’s monthly beach clean-ups, with ancillary invasive alien plant hacks. • Makhanda Branch’s regular talks and field trips. • Algoa Bay Branch leaders invited by SANParks for stakeholders discussions in the proposed expansion of the Addo Mega-Living Landscapes Programme and the management of the Algoa Marine Protected Area. KwaZulu-Natal • eThekwini Branch youth members enthusiastically involved in training, guiding and rehab activities. • Runner-up for the 2023 WESSA Award for Individuals was Margaret Burger, acknowledged for her exceptional contribution to citizen-led conservation and environmental education actions, especially in encouraging and mentoring KZN youth action. • Sani Branch’s combating litter programme is gaining traction with local taxi associations and tourism operators, which is connected to the Branch’s village-wide recycling initiative. Northern Areas • The Region (NAR) and partner organisations assembling 300 volunteers for a massive clean-up along the shores of Hartbeespoort in May. • NAR volunteers hosted a significant clean up in Arcadia for Mandela Day. • Many snare hunts in public and private lands. • WESSA Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 was Stan Madden, founder and Ex Chair of the WESSA Nigel/Springs Branch. From tireless efforts to protect birdlife through education and citizen science initiatives to his pivotal role in declaring the Blesbokspruit Ramsar site in 1986, Stan’s lifetime dedication to conservation is truly inspiring and invaluable. • Friends of Toloane, Johannesburg, earned the 2023 WESSA National Award for Groups; their dedicated volunteers having demonstrated outstanding community-inspired environmental awareness and conservation initiatives, in partnership with the City of Tshwane Nature Reserve Management.

Local residents supporting the Hartbeespoort Dam clean-up in May

Lowveld • Snare hunts in local and provincial reserves, including anti-poaching training events.

• Regional volunteers strongly supporting the White River Youth Forum as they undertake community works and local activism in the White River Nature Reserve and town. Skhumbuzo Lekhuleni won the 2023 WESSA Award for Youth in recognition of his leadership of this Forum.

John Wesson & McCayla Warriker promoting WESSA at the Kroons Fly In festival

#We Are OneWESSA

WESSA ANNUAL REPORT 2023 – 2024

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