News

South African National Parks (SANParks) recognised deserving staff at the 2024 Garden Route Achievement Awards held at Premier Hotel, Knysna on Friday, 01 November 2024. The event brought together staff members from Knysna, Wilderness and Tsitsikamma Sections of the Garden Route National Park who have made significant contributions to the preservation of our natural heritage.

Garden Route Achievement Awards honour and celebrate exceptional staff who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty.

The Awards evening recognized the dedication and selfless efforts of Garden Route National Park employees towards achieving the goals of SANParks’ mandate. Over 24 employees received individual and team awards in the categories, Best Customer Service, Excellent Performance in the Workplace, Best Performing Park of the Year, Best Performing Camp of the Year, Best Ranger Post, Leadership Development, Outstanding Leadership, Best Performing Division/Business Unit, Regional General Manager Special Award and Lifetime Contribution Award.

Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park walked away with the Best Performing Park of the Year, while Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp in the Wilderness Section won the Best Performing Camp of the Year. A team of rangers from Harkeville in the Knysna Section walked away with Excellent Performance in the Workplace Award for their commitment to trail maintenance, including clearing fallen trees, replacing signage and improving eroded areas, ensuring public safety and excellent hiking and cycling conditions.

Dr Sandra Taljaard, Park Manager for the Wilderness Section received the Regional General Manager Special Award for her commitment to staff development, operational excellence and maintaining the park’s integrity. Dr Taljaard is retiring from SANParks in the coming months after 25 years of loyal service to SANParks.

In a momentous highlight of the evening, Dr Ian Russel was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. A well-deserved acknowledgement of his lifetime contribution to the understanding and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. His passion as a field ecologist, incredible commitment to long-term monitoring, rigour of thought, high-quality scientific writing, and mentorship and inspiration to the next generation. Dr Ian Russel retired on 31 July 2024 as a Senior Scientist: Aquatic Ecology after serving SANParks for 34 years within the Garden Route Scientific Services Unit.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Garden Route Achievement Awards 2024. All the winners of the Garden Route Achievement Awards 2024 will go on to compete with all the staff across the 21 functional national parks managed by South African National Parks (SANParks) at the annual Kudu Awards at the end of November 2024. We wish them all the best.