The Conservation Leaders Programme was born out of a desire to identify youth from our Eco-Schools that are passionate about the natural environment and who would like to play a role in effecting change in their homes and communities. Children are brought onto the programme when in Grade 6 (11-12 years of age) and through regular interactions are nurtured over the remaining 7 years of their schooling career. The “nurturing” is achieved through a variety of interventions such as community action, hiking and camping in wilderness areas and camping trips to conservation areas throughout South Africa. The intention is to mould a select group of youth who will be more environmentally conscious and if it so happens that they wish to pursue a career in the environmental sector that the foundation is laid and the correct subject choices are made at critical times in their school career. This coupled with career guidance and knowledge sharing will help us grow the conservation leaders of the future.

The programme was started in 2013 with the identification of 60 children, who over the year were whittled down to a core group of 20 and who now, after 3 years, have resulted in a dedicated group of sixteen 15-year olds. These in turn are mentoring the second cohort of 25 children who came out of their first year of the programme that started in 2015. As one headmaster said, “Not only are we noticing an improvement in these childrens’ grades but an overall improvement in their confidence and participation in classroom activities”.