Events

This award is given to an organisation that has made significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, whether through the awarding of land, funds, human resources or any contributions in- kind or goodwill and practical assistance to active conservation projects/research bearing scale. This category shall not include contributions by SANParks official business partners.

This award is given to an organisation that has made significant contributions to conservation in South Africa, whether through the awarding of land, funds, human resources or any contributions in- kind or goodwill and practical assistance to active conservation projects/research bearing scale in mind.

This category recognises communities who use best management practices in one of the three categories: wildlife management, bioprospecting and other nature conservation initiatives. Examples of best management practices include conservation of water, energy, wildlife, habitats and land rehabilitation as well as indigenous knowledge practices that promote conservation. The nominees must own, rent, farm or manage the land. This category shall not include contributions by the SANParks volunteer group (Honorary Rangers).

In order to be eligible for these awards the applicant/s should submit a portfolio of work from 1 April the previous year until 31 March of the current year (12 months) with a recommendation from the editor/publisher/producer of the media concerned. The stories should show:

• How environmental issues affect people’s lives and the solutions around these issues
• How the stories have impacted communities/public opinion/policy
• New audiences to be introduced to relevant issues
• New issues relevant to existing audiences
• Stories demonstrate investigative and journalistic flair

There are three sub-categories for these awards:

1. Best Journalist (print/online)
2. Best Publication
3. Best Electronic Media (television/radio)

This award is given to an individual/group/project that has advanced the cause of sustainable conservation of our biodiversity and cultural heritage in their communities and/or others.

This award shall be given to a group of learners, educators and school primary or secondary education institutions (private or public) as well as private individuals that have contributed to educational programmes that further the conservation of our biodiversity and cultural heritage or reduces the environmental impacts of climate change and pollution.

These programmes should be community based and could include cleanup projects, recycling initiatives, water conservation, agricultural livelihoods, food gardens, efficient use of natural resources, or any other similar projects.

Further recognition will be given to Post Graduate (PHD) candidates who have completed research on Conservation; climate change; water conservation and/or management, food security, the UN Sustainable Development Goals; tourism, cultural heritage sites, environmental and social risk and opportunity management; environmental and conservation education and capacity building; biodiversity; and socio economic development.

This award is given to a person who has made significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, whether through the awarding of land, funds, human resources or any contributions in- kind or goodwill and practical assistance to achieve conservation projects and research.

This award is given to state/public organs/parastatals/departments/public servants who have made significant contributions to conservation in South Africa in whatever manner.

This award is given to private entities/organisations/employees/members/business partners of SANParks.

This award recognises and celebrates women that are ground breakers in the area of conservation, environmental education, tourism and socio-economic development areas. In presenting this award, the aim is also to raise awareness to other women of opportunities available in conservation, tourism and socio-economic issues relating to SANParks mandate.

This award shall be given to any young person/youth led project that is making outstanding and progressive influence in protecting and improving the environment. The impact that is being made may be through leading a recycling project, transferring of skills in the conservation of natural resources, projects that create environmental management awareness or innovation in promoting responsible nature conservation. The individuals who will be considered within the youth in conservation category are young people from the age of 18 to 35 and should be South African citizens.

Innovation is crucial to the success of any organisation. This award is given to an individual or group of people who can demonstrate that their idea can be translated into a service/app or product which will address the requirements of conservation, tourism and/or environmental positive impact in the immediate or long term. It requires energy, passion, creativeness, dedication, free thinking, and entrepreneurship that is not constrained by traditional barriers, but creates new paradigms and innovative solutions for the future.