Environmental education
for schools & youth
Making sure our young people are equipped as future custodians of the planet.
Investing in environmental education is the only way to ensure the future sustainability of our country, and our planet. We have to instil a love of nature in young people, and make sure they understand the need to conserve precious resources like water and energy.
Through our School and Youth Programmes, WESSA highlights environmental issues such as pollution, climate change and unsustainable development. But beyond that, we show young people that they have the power to make a difference.
Hands-on experience
Practical hands-on experiences – tree planting, food gardening, waste recycling, litter clean ups, rainwater harvesting and energy conservation – teach children how to care for the environment.
We work with schools and teachers throughout South Africa, equipping teachers to include environmental education within the school curriculum in an engaging way.
Child by child, we are driving the change toward more sustainable lifestyles.
Impact of environmental education
learners reached
waste collected
trees planted
food gardens
WESSA Environmental Education Programmes
![planting environmental education](https://www.wessa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/planting.jpg)
Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools is an international programme developed to support environmental learning in the classroom. Active in 68 countries and 59000 schools around the world, the programme has been implemented in South Africa by WESSA since 2003.
![leaf-programme environmental education](https://www.wessa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/leaf-programme.jpg)
LEAF (Learning about Ecosystems and Forests)
LEAF raises awareness among learners, teachers and communities about the relationship between people and nature. Many young people are unaware of the ecological, economic and cultural role of both natural woodlands and man-made forests.
![yre environmental education](https://www.wessa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/yre.jpg)
Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE)
YRE is an international journalism programme for young people aged 11-25 years. Through writing, photography and videos, our Young Reporters creatively highlight social and environmental issues and suggest solutions.
![eco-schools-logo Eco-schools Logo](https://www.wessa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/eco-schools-logo.jpg)
![leaf LEAF logo](https://www.wessa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/leaf.png)
![YRE-logo Young Reporters for the environment](https://www.wessa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/YRE-logo.jpg)
Nurturing the next generation of nature conservationists
Get in touch
NAME | PHONE | DESIGNATION | |
---|---|---|---|
Nomfundo Ndlovu | 066 349 0637 | nomfundo.ndlovu@wessa.co.za | Senior Schools & Youth Programme Manager |
Hazel Khoza | 072 741 8223 | hazel.khoza@wessa.co.za | Programes & Project Manager (KZN, MP, LP, NW, GP & FS) |
Sharnay Wagner | 066 471 5425 | sharnay.wagner@wessa.co.za | Programes & Project Manager (WC, NC & EC) |
Zwakele Ngwenya | 063 693 8656 | zwakele.ngwenya@wessa.co.za | Programes & Project Co-ordinator (MP, FS & NW) |
Daniel Jackson | 076 789 1206 | daniel.jackson@wessa.co.za | Programes & Project Co-ordinator (MP, FS & NW) |
Nomfundo Ndaba | 064 958 5618 | nomfundo.ndaba@wessa.co.za | Programes & Project Co-ordinator (KZN & EC) |
Nosphamandla Ndamane | 064 880 3777 | nosphamandla.ndamane@wessa.co.za | Programes & Project Co-ordinator (WC & NC) |