Maria Hauck, founder of Y4C, attended the IEB school conferences to share the impact of Y4C programmes. It was wonderful to meet new teachers who share our passion – and also to put faces to familiar names. We look forward to new collaborations and meaningful adventures!
What’s new with Y4C programmes?
We have the privilege of working with inspiring teams on the ground who are passionate about people & conservation.
We are excited to welcome our first group on our new Wildlife and Marine programme in KZN.
This is an adventure that exposes youth to both coastal and terrestrial ecosystems, merging experiences at a game reserve north of Durban with the coastal ecosystem of iSimangaliso wetland park.
Also…some exciting new research projects underway (think aardwolf & leopard!) and new opportunities to work with adjacent rural communities!
The conservation vision of building a conservancy in the Central Tuli Block is making progress! Collaborations take time but the efforts of all our groups and volunteers continue to contribute to this goal – re-wilding and protecting this important region in Southern Africa.
And guess what? You will be happy to hear there are new renovations to the safari tent doors! Added luxury in the bush! 😉
New and exciting marine programmes are being developed with our partners in both Gansbaai and Cape Town.
We are also offering shorter research-based experiences for high school groups eager to learn hands-on fieldwork skills.
This is all about being exposed to marine species and conservation efforts on the ground. And P.S. — awesome new student accommodation at our Gansbaai location!
Since its inception in 2003, our partner has built 220 water protection walls in north-western Namibia as a practical means to minimise human-elephant conflict.
School groups not only contribute to these important volunteer projects – but they also have the option of undertaking a multi-day trek, wild camping and navigating the desert landscape!
The Clanwiliam Sandfish is South Africa’s most threatened migratory freshwater fish. The Saving Sandfish Project has been on a mission to rescue stranded juvenile sandfish and give them a head start in life.
An exciting new publication shows that the plan is working… and Y4C Sandfish Camps are part of the solution. Since 2020 the Saving Sandfish team, which includes Y4C volunteers, have rescued 33,391 baby sandfish, released 1277 back into the wild in 2021 and of those, 77 returned to Biedouw in 2022 to join the spawning migration!
More Cederberg camps to come — November – December this year!
We celebrated with our partner, the Kariega Foundation, on the addition of 1500 hectares of habitat to the reserve, resulting in significant conservation benefits for keynote herbivores like elephant and rhino and apex predators like cheetah and lion.
This is conservation in action — engaging in activities on a big-5 reserve while also contributing to meaningful projects in surrounding communities.
We are very excited to introduce a new research-focussed programme situated in world-renowned Kruger National Park.
In partnership with the Nsasani Trust and the Skukuza Science Leadership Initiative, this is an opportunity for teachers, learners, university students or wannabe biologists to conduct hands-on fieldwork with scientists on the ground!
Apply what you learn in textbooks to real research projects while being immersed in this iconic wilderness area. Set dates: 20-26 Sept & 28 Sept – 4 Oct, 2024.
Do you have some holiday time or on a gap year? Join other like-minded volunteers on an adventure that gives back to both wildlife & people.
