Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter for the year. This space brings together selected stories from across our programmes, capturing moments of change, learning, and connection from work on the ground. Through these stories, we share how people, communities, and nature intersect in meaningful ways, and how Nature Connect continues to support pathways toward a more resilient and thriving future. |
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Monala Primary School Named South Africa’s Most Sustainable School |
|  | Monala Primary School, a no‑fee‑paying rural school in Limpopo, has been named Most Sustainable School in South Africa following a year of consistent, whole‑school sustainability action. Recognised at the final stage of Nature Connect’s 2025 Sustainable Schools Rewards programme, the school stood out for strong learner engagement and sustained progress across multiple environmental focus areas.
Monala’s journey reflects the impact of committed teacher leadership, community involvement, and long‑term programme support in embedding Education for Sustainable Development into everyday teaching, even in under‑resourced contexts. |
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KwaNgubeni Primary School – Learning About Biodiversity Through Action |
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At KwaNgubeni Primary School in Pietermaritzburg, learners recently enjoyed a vibrant and engaging environmental learning day focused on biodiversity and ecosystems. Through interactive lessons, learners explored how different plants and animals depend on one another to survive, helping them better understand the interconnectedness of nature. One of the highlights of the day was a lively “bee game,” which demonstrated how pollination works. The activity helped learners see firsthand how bees and other pollinators play a critical role in supporting plant life and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
The day ended with learners planting a variety of indigenous plants around the school grounds. This hands-on activity not only strengthened their understanding of environmental restoration but also contributed to improving the school’s natural spaces, an inspiring step towards growing both knowledge and nature together. |
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Seven-Year Milestone Achieved by the 2019 Cohort of Conservation Leaders |
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A significant milestone was recently achieved by our 2019 Cohort of Conservation Leaders, who successfully completed their seven-year development journey through the Conservation Leadership Project. The programme focuses on environmental awareness, leadership development, life skills training, and conservation stewardship. This achievement reflects years of dedication, learning, and personal growth as participants developed the knowledge, skills, and values required to contribute meaningfully to the protection of our natural environment.
To recognise their commitment and mark the completion of the programme, the cohort attended a week-long programme completion camp at Lapalala Wilderness School. The camp provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their journey, strengthen peer connections, and engage in further experiential learning within a natural setting.
The week’s programme combined environmental education with personal development activities. Learners participated in guided bush walks, wildlife observation activities, conservation-focused discussions, and collaborative team-building exercises. Evening reflection sessions encouraged participants to share experiences and insights gained throughout their time in the programme. These activities provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities and reinforced participants' understanding of ecological systems and the importance of responsible environmental stewardship.
The successful completion of this seven-year programme highlights the perseverance and commitment demonstrated by the Conservation Leaders. Their participation reflects a strong dedication to conservation and environmental responsibility, and underscores the important role that youth engagement plays in strengthening the conservation sector.
As these young leaders move forward, they carry with them the knowledge, confidence, and passion developed throughout the programme, positioning them to contribute positively to conservation initiatives within their communities and beyond. |
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Women leading in conservation |
|  | An all‑women Quemic Africa learner group has completed their final module of the NQF4 Natural Resource Guardianship Course at Bokbaai. The programme covered areas including conservation compliance, emergency response, teamwork, resilience, and extended time spent in natural environments. Throughout the course, participants demonstrated consistency, commitment, and leadership. They worked collaboratively, met the requirements of the programme, and engaged fully with the learning process.
We acknowledge their completion of the course and look ahead to how they continue their involvement as conservation ambassadors within their communities and beyond. |
| | | | | Keeping Future Conservators in the System |
|  | A qualification in nature conservation often comes down to one final hurdle: work‑integrated learning. For many capable students, this year determines whether years of study lead to graduation or fall away due to lack of support, resources, or placement opportunities. This story follows Lifa Nkosi’s journey through that critical final year and explores why keeping future conservators in the system is essential for South Africa’s biodiversity and long‑term conservation capacity. |
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Small Grants Project: Welcoming the 2026 Beneficiaries |
|  | Nature Connect’s Small Grants Project, supported by the Table Mountain Fund, backs grassroots, community‑led conservation initiatives across the Cape Floristic Region. The programme combines funding and mentorship to help local organisations protect nature while strengthening long‑term sustainability.
After reviewing 74 applications for the 2026 Small Grants, six organisations were selected whose work strongly reflects our mission of connecting people to nature so that they will love and protect it. The new beneficiaries recently came together for an induction session that included introductions, practical guidance, contract signings and the start of a shared learning journey. With plans in place and connections formed, these teams are ready to begin the year ahead. |
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World Wetlands Day 2026: A Round‑Up of Activities |
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World Wetlands Day was marked across several sites this year with hands‑on learning, youth leadership, and community‑driven engagement that highlighted the ecological and cultural value of wetlands in the Cape. |
| 1: Mentorship and wetlands education at Rondevlei |
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 | At False Bay Nature Reserve, Rondevlei Section, Conservation Leaders partnered with the City of Cape Town's River Wardens in the train‑the‑trainer programme and a wetlands education programme for the City's Junior River Wardens. The focus was on building facilitation skills while deepening understanding of vital role wetlands play in our daily lives. |
| | | 2: Youth leadership in action at Kenilworth Conservation Area |
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Conservation Leaders from the 2023 and 2025 intakes spent World Wetlands Day restoring wetland habitat at the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA). The group cleared invasive bulrush, improving water flow and habitat quality, while gaining practical experience in wetland management. |
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3: Community, culture and traditional knowledge at Zandvlei Nature Reserve |  | At Zandvlei Nature Reserve, members of the Coniston community joined the City of Cape Town's River Wardens for a World Wetlands Day programme aligned with the theme Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage. Nature served as the classroom as participants explored the history of Zandvlei, the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, and the role of wetlands and estuaries in the region. |
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Support Nature Connect with Woolworths MyDifference. |  | Woolworths is merging its MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and WRewards programmes into a single, powerful new platform: MyDifference. This means you can now support Nature Connect every time you shop at Woolies—simply by selecting us as your Cause in the Woolworths app. The new system is digital-first, making it easier than ever to give back, access discounts, and manage your rewards—all in one place Let’s make a difference together—sign up for MyDifference and choose Nature Connect as your Cause today! | | |
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| |  | Change lives through nature with Nature Connect by donating on a one-time or recurring basis! | | |
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| | | | | | Feeling Inspired? Raise funds for Nature Connect today | | |
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