About the WEF

OUR PATRONS:

	Michelle Garforth-Venter Conservation Journalist, Presenter & Executive Producer: Ezinkulu Productions, and co-author of the book: The Green Line. CLICK HERE to learn more about Michelle or read the foreword written by Michelle for our fundraising book: Africa's Mammals - Discovering 101 species.
	Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation of the Republic of South Africa since 2009. CLICK HERE to learn more about Deputy Minister Ebrahim.
	Jonathan Pienaar Jonathan Pienaar is a famous and well-loved South African writer, actor, voice-over artist and comedian. He has appeared in numerous South African and international films and television shows including Blood Diamond, Crusoe, and Wild At Heart. CLICK HERE to learn more about Johnny.
DOWNLOAD WEF-brochure

Dr. Madelein J Grundlingh:

Dr. Madelein J Grundlingh is a professionally qualified and experienced zoologist and conservation education specialist, former lecturer, biology teacher, and not only scriptwriter of wildlife television programmes, but also a passionate wildlife photographer and the founder of DJANI Wildlife Projects, a wildlife conservation initiative specialising in conservation education.
She believes that knowledge changes attitudes and that informed people are more inclined to be conservation conscious people - exactly what is needed if we want to preserve and conserve this absolutely perfect planet for all existing living creatures to survive and thrive in.

During the past three years dr. Grundlingh has reached and involved more than 60 000 pupils and teachers during her conservation programmes presented free of charge at schools. She is also directly involved in the "Go Green" projects at various secondary and primary schools. In addition, dr. Grundlingh has recently developed and written a learners textbook, interactive DVD, teachers' scheme of works and learner worksheets, all on Education for Sustainable Development.
In 2010, during SANParks' prestigious annual award ceremony, Dr. Madelein J. Grundlingh has been awarded a KUDU Award for her contribution towards environmental education and capacity building.

 

VISION:

It is the vision of the WEF that through its environment and wildlife educational efforts, the natural environment and biodiversity will be respected, valued and conserved by an informed and responsible human population, ensuring sustainable development and a healthy planet for generations to come.

 

The South African Environmental Constitution:
Everybody has a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well being and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of the present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that:
1. Prevent pollution and ecological degradation
2. Promote conservation
3. Secure ecologically sustainable development and the use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development
( Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996)

 

 

MISSION:

Our mission is to improve the standard of education for sustainable development, wildlife education and knowledge as well as conservation by promoting education, training, research and providing leadership towards optimal enviro education, conservation and management.

OBJECTIVES:

The main objective of the WEF is to promote and provide quality education for sustainable development as well as wildlife education and knowledge to all the youth, communities and relevant sectors in South Africa – both the youth (tomorrow's leaders and decision-makers) and the adult generation (today's leaders and decision-makers);

The foundation's objectives also include working in collaboration with other organisations that mainly deal with sustainable development and wildlife education to develop and produce high quality, educational resource material in all possible formats to further promote and support sustainable development, wildlife education and conservation.

The foundation's will also create opportunities and provide an environment where learners, educators, researchers, conservationists, managers and decision-makers interested in sustainable development, wildlife and nature conservation can share knowledge at a national and international level.

An ultimate objective of the foundation is to establish a world-class environmental education academy to provide quality education and skills training to South Africans who are passionate and committed to sustainable development, the environment, biodiversity and its conservation.

 

 

The specific strategic position of the WEF in its chosen niche, is illustrated in the included diagram. It clearly indicates the importance of our environment as the foundation of all life on earth, as well as the WEF's important educational role in helping to create a harmonious balance between nature (conservation) and development by humans.

It is a known fact that the earth can support an estimated three billion people; presently there are almost seven billion humans with an estimated nine billion by 2050. This makes education for sustainable development the most important priority of any society if we as the human species want to survive and thrive together with all the other living creatures that we share this magical planet with.

"It is in our moments of decision, that we shape not only our own destiny, but also that of our planet and the life it supports."         (dr. Madelein J Grundlingh)