Education

The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) is an environmental NGO and non-profit, founded in 2004 and based in the Western Cape, South Africa. Our mission is to protect leopards and leopard landscapes, and support coexistence between humans and wildlife, through collaborative research, conservation, education and strategic communications.

The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) regards environmental education (EE) and outreach as a high-priority pillar of our work. It is not a stand-alone project but is fully integrated along with research and conservation into a cohesive unit. We facilitate experiences in nature that change the way young people see themselves and feel about protecting the environment. Our aim is to educate and empower the youth to become conservation ambassadors, by connecting them with nature and instilling an attitude of reverence and respect for the natural environment.

We offer a suite of engaging activities designed to inspire children. These include immersive wilderness camps and day outings, eco-clubs and once-off school presentations, as well as online lessons, art competitions and online quizzes. Across all our programmes, we focus on creating meaningful experiences that inspire young people to become champions for the environment and future conservation leaders.

Wilderness camps

Letting children experience nature so that they can fall in love and care for biodiversity is a mainstay of our EE work. To this end we host several wilderness camps per year, based in the Cederberg and Overberg regions. Cederberg camp activities include hiking, fossil and scorpion hunting, stargazing and exploring rock art, while Overberg camps include some adventure activities like kayaking and beachcombing. Education about leopards, biodiversity and conservation is the golden thread that underpins all these activities. For some, this could be the first and only opportunity they may have to experience camping in nature. Many of the children have never travelled so far from their homes, never experienced wilderness or even seen the mountains or the sea up close, and it is a privilege to introduce these young learners to the wonders of nature and instil in them an appreciation for wild places.

Eco-clubs

One of our main goals is to educate communities living in leopard areas and create awareness about the importance of protecting leopards and their habitat. One way of achieving this is through our eco-clubs initiative, which consists of lessons to the same group of children throughout a school year to build their knowledge and understanding. While taking a group of learners into nature – even only for a day – may create a lasting memory in the minds of some, we have found that repeat contact sessions enable us to measure the impact of our work, and in the longer term this enables the monitoring of behaviour change. The eco-club lessons are curriculum-linked and support in-class teachings as well as holistic development. Through these eco-clubs, students participate in regular, nature-based lessons and activities that connect them with local environmental issues, instilling a sense of responsibility and lasting appreciation for conservation within their own communities.

Girls in Conservation

We aim to use environmental learning and knowledge as a catalyst for social change. The CLT ‘Girls in Conservation’ programme engages high school girls from rural communities in areas that share the leopard’s habitat. The aim is to create opportunities for girls and collaborate with partners to provide the resources, knowledge and experiences that will inspire girls to consider following a career in the green economy. The initiative includes a week-long immersive holiday programme, and participants then extend their learning by leading service assignments that engage and educate others in their communities, creating a lasting impact.

Gents Trek

One of our flagship programmes is the CLT ‘Gents Trek’, a four-day wilderness hike that aims to be a transformative experience for a group of high school boys. The journey takes them deep into the heart of the Cederberg wilderness and not only imparts environmental knowledge but also fosters social well-being and adventure. Guided by mentors, the boys learn essential outdoor skills like map reading, navigation techniques and water purification, while also engaging in discussions about good communication, conflict resolution, empathy, the meaning of positive male identity, and the value of brotherhood. This experience goes beyond a mere hike; it profoundly impacts these young men, leading to lifelong friendships, newfound skills, and a heightened appreciation for the environment.

Footprints in the Fynbos

The CLT has also developed a children’s book called Footprints in the Fynbos – which features a conservation-inspired story, an easily digestible fact section, and activity pages – all available in an English, Afrikaans as well as isiXhosa version. We have distributed several thousand of these books to underserved children across the Western Cape – with a special focus on Early Childhood Development Centres. In collaboration with partners we’ve also developed several inclusive resources based on the book, including a South African sign language version, a Braille version, audiobooks and even a special song complete with animated music video.

Virtual Reality

Another initiative that was developed with a vision of inclusivity is our Virtual Reality project. This innovative educational tool was designed to complement in-classroom lessons and provide an immersive experience that captivates students’ imaginations. It aims to bring the beauty of the fynbos biome to life for all learners, including those with disabilities and those who may never have the chance to visit wilderness areas in person. From exploring rock art in ancient sandstone caves to seeing a leopard in its natural habitat, this modern tool expands our reach – bringing nature closer to learners and enhancing our environmental education in a new, immersive and transformative way.

Teacher Development Workshops

The Western Cape is fortunate to have several institutions and organisations that support and offer environmental learning in schools. However, many teachers and educators remain unaware of the resources, tools and services available to support their EE teachings. To change this situation and in collaboration with key partners, we have hosted several Teacher Development Workshops, offering an opportunity for educators to learn how to engage with environmental learning and introduce these concepts into the classroom in a fun and participating way. The CLT was awarded full accreditation for teacher development by the South African Council for Educators (SACE), and participants thus earn professional credits from these sessions. Educators representing schools from across the Western Cape have attended these interactive ‘Train-the-Trainer’ workshops.

  Education Pillar ~ Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 4 Quality Education
  • Goal 5 Gender Equality
  • Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 15 Life on Land

Help us achieve our Education goals and broaden our impact!

The Cape Leopard Trust is a non-governmental non-profit organisation fully reliant on financial support from the private and corporate sector. Much of our financial support comes from private donors, companies, charitable trusts, foundations, and businesses who support us in kind.

We are a registered Public Benefit Organisation, and donations made by companies or individuals are tax deductible and qualify for a Section 18A tax certificate.

Donate Now