conservation champion Archives - Page 3 of 6

EWT Exploring Peru

Esther Matthew, the EWT’s Senior Specialist Conservation Officer, became a National Geographic Society Explorer in 2018 for her work with a scent detection dog to help conserve the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit. A few months ago, Esther was selected as one of three explorers to serve as a hub coordinator for the Southern Africa Hub. The hub includes all explorers form South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

As part of her new role, she received the incredible opportunity to attend a hub coordinator training workshop and Explorer Festival in Lima, Peru! Esther expressed her excitement, saying, “It was an amazing opportunity and experience I will never forget!”. This marked her first visit to South America and her attendance at an international Nat Geo Explorer Festival. The festival showcased the remarkable National Geographic explorer project in the Amazon, along with many other fascinating topics. Esther represented EWT and the Southern Africa hub at the event, where she met many explorers from around the world. She returned with more knowledge about coordinating groups and established many valuable networking contacts.
The EWT is proud to have three National Geographic Explorers on our staff. Alongside Esther, the other two explorers are Kulani Nyakane, Field Officer of our Carnivore Conservation Programme and Dr Gareth Tate, Programme Manager of the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme.

Rhino Peak Challenge

Rhino Peak Challenge – Highlights

A total of 48 invited ambassadors, including school participants and a mix representing WACT and EWT, set off at 6:30 am from the RPC start line on Saturday. It started as a misty cool morning, with the Rhino Peak hidden from sight, but still present in everyone’s minds. The weather soon cleared up with the Underberg in full colour and all its glory. You seldom escape the wind on the mountains, and this year was no different. If anything, one of the strongest winds I have ever experienced. But the escarpment and the summiting of the peak is always a special and humbling experience. Not to take on the mountain, but to be part of it. However brief. To be part of nature and something that has stood majestically and purposefully through millennia.

The intensity of the climb and the diversity of people that the challenge attracts was apparent in this years finishing times. With our fastest ambassador home in 3hours 19 minutes, and the longest day on the mountain closer to 14 hours!

But this is why our RPC ambassadors do what they do. To protect, appreciate and conserve. To realise that everything is connected. To be immersed in nature, and all of its harsh and beautiful elements, for a magical moment in time.

Thank you to Spurgeon Flemmington from RMA (Running Man Adventures) for knowing that this mountain and this event would raise millions for conservation.

To the event beneficiary partners, WACT and KZN Ezemvelo, whom we work with to protect this important heritage site and the species and people that rely on it.

To every ambassador that not only takes on the challenge of fundraising but of summiting the peak.

To all the EWT ambassadors and personal incredible donors such as the Ford Wildlife Foundation and Go2Africa for supporting our work. This event would not be possible without you, and conservation thanks you.

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Julia Van der Riet in London

Julia is a Volunteer fundraiser in the UK for the EWT. Here is a little bit about Julia’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: Volunteer fundraiser in the UK

What do you do in your day-day work? I’ll be meeting with UK-based potential donors to get support for different areas of the EWT, likely beginning with the Eye in the Sky project and Soutpansberg. As well as helping with marketing efforts

Location: London

Where did you grow up? Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? Hiking, running/walking with a good podcast on, painting and cooking.

Any pets? 2 rescue dogs, Monty & Phoebe who live with my parents in SA.

Favourite animal and why: Fish eagle, their call must one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Or tortoise, for their determination and endearing characteristics.

Favourite food? Pasta

Pet peeve? Litter

Why did you want to work for the EWT? To contribute towards making a difference in the natural world – something I talk about regularly but haven’t yet put into practise in a significant way.

What excites you about this new position? The opportunity to find creative ways of getting people to care more deeply about conservation in Africa, and in turn perhaps globally.

What are you passionate about? Knowledge and expanding my own; sharing and deepening my appreciation for nature.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? When I’m stressed, my father’s advice is to get up, go for a walk or write down your thoughts, and approach the situation with a fresh perspective.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Walk of Life by the Dire Straits or Sedona by Houndmouth

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Jessel Naidoo

Jessel is the EWT’s Financial Accountant. Here is a little bit about Jessel’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: Financial Accountant

Location Midrand

Where did you grow up? Port Shepstone

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? Tasting the world, one dish at a time and getting lost in another Netflix series.

Any pets? Not yet

Favourite animal and why? Leopard, as the saying goes “Leopard spots are a reminder that beaty lies in uniqueness”- Unknown

Favourite food? Lamb Curry

Pet peeve? Being interrupted

Why did you want to work for the EWT? EWT’s vision and mission speaks to me on a personal level.

What are you passionate about? Learning and development

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? Listen more than you speak, High school teacher.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Fancy Like by Walker Haynes

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Emile Honiball

Al is the protected areas co-ordinator for Waterberg and Wolkberg. Here is a little bit about Emile’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title I am the protected areas co-ordinator for Waterberg and Wolkberg.

Location I am located in Mokopane, Limpopo province.

Where did you grow up? I was born and grew up in Mokopane, Limpopo province.

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? I love anything in the outdoors, sport, fishing, horse-riding, hunting, reading, travelling, history.

Any pets? Yes our family has 5 dogs and 6 horses.

Favourite animal and why? The African Buffalo is my favourite animal. I grew up on a farm loving cattle. Buffalo have similar behaviour and social structure as cattle.

Favourite food? Mediterranean food.

Pet peeve? Dogs on the furniture and beds.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? I decided to work for the EWT to hopefully be able to make some kind of contribution to conservation.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about our country and people.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? Best advice is from my wife to always smile.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Brave Heart by Johnny Clegg