The BIGGER Picture:
| Humans have been treating nature and all other species for decades as “something” separate – as “something” that man owns, have control over and are the self-appointed managers of. The truth is that we are just as part of nature as all the other animals and plants sharing this planet with us. |  |
However, as the single species having the most profound effect on nature, we allowed our own numbers to increase uncontrolled - by far exceeding the earth’s capacity to sustain us.
Taking the bigger picture into consideration, it is a fact that despite numerous conservation efforts, a rapidly expanding human population, damaging industrial and agricultural practices, ever increasing pollution, climate change, and other dynamics continue to threaten our natural world and quality of life. Plant and animal species are disappearing at rates estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times greater than normal and the benefits that nature provides people — from fresh water to food to flood control — are also under siege.
 |
Global Warming and Climate Change is real and it’s happening much faster than was predicted just a few years ago. We have reached the situation where preserving and conserving remaining wildlife and wild places, aren’t enough – man’s attitudes toward the environment and the way we treat it must change. |
Although profoundly disturbing, we are potentially facing a drastic change in life as we have know it, mainly due to our greed and destructive activities, with habitat destruction and pollution at the top of the list.
The good news is that the solutions to climate change exist.
The technologies are available right now and there are immense economic opportunities from expanding their use. The only real question is: How can we make it happen?
The answer: we can solve this crisis - specifically by not only raising the awareness of our fellow citizens about this crisis, but also by informing and educating them about potential solutions - all of us, together - can preserve the climate balance on which humanity and our planet depend.
 |
Humankind must set a new goal: to conserve “enough of everything”, not just the rarest or most imperilled species or places. This means at least doubling the rate of effective conservation around the globe within the next 10 years. The aim is to create a world in which the ecosystems that sustain all life - people as well as plants and animals - are valued and endure for generations. |
Now, with the fore-mentioned in mind as well as the fact that in Southern Africa, not to even mention the rest of the world, numerous wildlife conservation organisations already exist and are doing wonderful work, the challenge is to not copy or duplicate any existing wildlife conservation programme, but to address the real issue: changing man's attitudes toward wildlife, the environment and the way we treat it.
How can this be achieved?
By focussing on environment and wildlife conservation education of:
1) not only our children - tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers, but also on
2) the education of the adult generation - today’s leaders and decision makers – the people possessing the means, resources and authority to contribute now, either directly on a governmental and business level, or indirectly by pushing through politics and pressure groups.
| At the moment numerous conservation initiatives are focussing on creating change from the bottom up on grassroots level, investing on the youth and communities directly surrounding our wild places. This is excellent but, but ALL the youth of South Africa should be included (especially our urban youth) and creating change has also to be done from the top down – thus, including the present adult generation - specifically the corporate leaders. This will more than double the value of conservation efforts - especially since scientists predict that we may have as little as seven years to correct the ways in which we treat nature, before we cross a tipping point beyond which it will be too late. |
|
 |
It’s about action now. We must change our ways of thinking and see the reality of our situation. By educating just our youth at this point in time may not help our immediate and very urgent need for conservation change – it’s the big corporates and large industries that at this stage are having the most significant impact and influence on our environment. |
We need to inform and educate companies to change their destructive habits and publicly support policies and laws that promote the reduction in global warming and pollution, and improve their business operations and product offerings to be more eco-friendly. 
GOALS and PRIORITIES:
| “If we do not teach our children the value of their natural heritage, how can we expect them to care enough to preserve it?” - Nelson Mandela - |
 |
Despite numerous conservation efforts worldwide, threats to our natural world and quality of life are escalating. Lands and waters are under pressure from a rapidly expanding human population, damaging industrial and agricultural practices and poorly planned development.
 |
The consequences of global climate change on the natural world are already evident as scientists are observing changes in the distributions of plants and animals, their growth rates, the timing of animal migration, the retreat of glaciers and the intensity and frequency of storms, droughts and fire. |
| These factors are having a major impact on biodiversity. Plants and animals are caught up in a massive human-caused wave of extinction in which species are disappearing at a rate estimated to be 100 to 1 000 times greater than normal. | |
GOALS:
a) Long-term: Conservation goals describe the results we want to achieve for the preservation and conservation of biodiversity. Based on the best available scientific information, long-term goals must be sets for the abundance and geographic distribution of species and ecological systems necessary to ensure the long-term survival of all biodiversity on Earth – including the long-term survival of humans on Earth.
b) Short-term: More near-term goals should also be set, such as informing and educating the children and communities neighbouring our wild places with regard to the environment and its preservation and conservation. However, numerous such communities and from all over Southern Africa should be addressed and included in the project, since together, all these near-term goals serve as “stepping stones” toward a national and ultimate global mission.
PRIORITIES:
To make the most effective progress toward conservation goals, we must establish priorities — we must focus on those places, threats to biodiversity and strategic opportunities that are most in need of conservation action or promise the greatest conservation return on our investment - and it’s obvious: people are causing all the threats to the environment, all the habitat destruction, all the pollution. Thus, the solution: “fix” the people and you’ve “fixed” the problem!!! Again, it is very clear that to contribute to the preservation and conservation of our natural heritage – we have to work together, join our talents and resources, set goals and prioritise – focus on informing and educating all the people: today’s leaders and decision makers – the adult generation, and simultaneously, tomorrows leaders and decision makers – our children.
STRATEGY:
| “Conservation in its nature is directed both to the past and the future,
to preserving our heritage and ensuring that it benefits generations to come … and it is people like ourselves who make all this possible”. - Nelson Mandela - |
|
Developing Strategies:
Conservation strategies must be tailored to our understanding of ecology and critical threats to biodiversity, as well as the social, political and economic forces at play. We have to seek solutions that will meet the needs of species and ecosystems as well as people. These solutions often require some combination of local-, regional- and global-scale strategies.
Taking Action:
The action taken has to be committed to place-based results by taking action locally, regionally and globally, as called for by the strategies. The bulk of the resources — human and financial — will have to be spent executing the strategies that are developed together with partners. The actions will have to be varied and agile, but will typically include:
2) Forging strategic alliances with a variety of groups from all sectors (“don’t re-invent the wheel”).
3) Creating and maintaining public support - both nationally and internationally.
4) Focus on the reason/cause for the need of preservation and conservation of wildlife and natural environments, i.e. the human factor (mainly human behaviour) - and not the symptoms of man’s destructive behaviour and actions towards nature. Thus wildlife and conservation education must be, and are the primary concern and motivation for action taken by DJANI Wildlife Projects as a wildlife & conservation initiative.
5) Developing and demonstrating innovative conservation approaches and conservation education resources.
6) Building an ethic and support for biodiversity conservation.
7) Strengthening, through our contributing unique approach and applied strategies, the institutional capacity of government and non-governmental organizations to achieve conservation results.
8) Generating private and public funding (sponsorships and Wildlife Products' sales).
Taking all the fore-mentioned information into consideration, DJANI Wildlife Projects' Environment & Wildlife Conservation Education Programme includes:
| 1. | A combined effort where the talents, resources and experience of DJANI Wildlife Projects, the community, the business sector and other conservation and/or specialist concerns are utilise and put to massive positive action; |
| 2. | A unique and specialised conservation programme that focuses primarily on conservation education; |
| 3. | A Conservation Education Programme that focuses specifically on informing and educating all the people of South Africa: today’s leaders and decision makers – the adult generation, and simultaneously, tomorrows leaders and decision makers – our children; |
| 4. | A Conservation Education Programme that will reach and have an impact on communities locally, regionally, nationally and eventually globally; |
CONCLUSION:
It is a fact that despite numerous conservation efforts, a rapidly expanding human population, damaging industrial and agricultural practices, ever increasing pollution, poorly planned development, climate change, and other dynamics continue to threaten our natural world and quality of life. Plant and animal species are disappearing at an alarming rate and we have reached the situation where preserving and conserving remaining wildlife and wild places, aren’t enough - man’s attitudes toward the environment and the way we treat it must change.
It’s obvious: people are causing all the threats to the environment, all the habitat destruction, all the pollution and consequential global warming. The solution: “fix” the people and you’ve “fixed” the problem!!!Although there are presently numerous different conservation organisations in South Africa – all doing wonderful work, there is a huge need for the promotion of environment and wildlife conservation specifically through education and community participation – an urgent need for a conservation initiative that focuses primarily on informing and educating all the people: today’s leaders and decision makers: the adult generation, and simultaneously, tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers: our children.
To achieve this, we have to work together - join our talents and resources, set goals, prioritize and take action – ensuring that through our conservation education efforts we will provide the “tiny spark” that will cause “a mighty flame” of educated, informed and motivated conservationists – a generation that will treat all forms of life with respect, dignity and compassion – a generation that will not be self-destructive.
"IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT, DON'T BREAK IT".
As a leader in environment and wildlife conservation, and also to ensure that our efforts will not just have short term value, but will provide South Africa with a quality, lasting, long term solution for our conservation needs, our efforts must be based on the values of:
- Integrity beyond reproach: We will meet the highest ethical and professional standards in all of our organizational endeavors and, in doing so, we hold ourselves accountable to our mission and to the public;
- Respect for people, communities and cultures: Enduring conservation success depends on the active involvement of people and partners whose lives and livelihoods are linked to the natural systems we seek to conserve. We respect the needs, values and traditions of local communities and cultures, and we forge relationships based on mutual benefit and trust;
- Commitment to diversity: We recognize that biological diversity conservation is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. We will recruit and mentor staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our local and global character;
- One Conservancy: Our strength and vitality lie in functioning as one organization, working together in local places and across borders to achieve our local and global mission. We value the collective and collaborative efforts that are so essential to our success.
- Tangible Lasting Results: Our mission of preserving biological diversity guides everything we do. We use the best available science, a creative spirit and a non-confrontational approach to craft innovative solutions to complex conservation problems at scales that matter and in ways that will endure.
but also that of our planet and the life it supports"
- dr. Madelein J Grundlingh -
