About Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)

WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) is a South African environmental organisation which aims to initiate and support high impact environmental and conservation projects to promote public participation in caring for the Earth. For almost 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, working in strategic partnerships in the critical areas of water and biodiversity, while also addressing climate change as a cross‐cutting issue. These initiatives, which focus on schools, community and youth development, 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; the ESKOM Energy and Sustainability Programme which supports educators, learners and communities in the promotion of sustainable lifestyles; and the WESSA Rhino Initiative. WESSA continues to be a motivating force behind many of South Africa's most 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 World Conservation Union (formerly the International Union for the Conservation of Nature – IUCN).