One of the Penguin Rangers at our African Penguin Conservation Project shares her Nature Connect story:

My name is Kashiefa Amos and my Nature Connect journey started in 2017.

Sustainable schools Phase 1

As a second-year National Diploma in Nature Conservation student, I volunteered with the then Nature Connect Gantouw Project in April 2017. Later that same year, the entire second-year nature conservation class of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology had an environmental education camp at “The Island” on Zeekoevlei, hosted by Nature Connect. The camp taught us various ways to tackle environmental education and keep lessons and learning fun.

Green skills training Phase 2

Towards the end of my second year of studies, I was fortunate enough to receive a bursary from Nature Connect which assisted with financial aid. Bursary recipients also received various field guides to aid them on their conservation journey, as well as the opportunity to participate in a snake-handling course.

Nature Care fund Phase 3

After completing my National Diploma in nature conservation in 2019, I was successful in acquiring the vacancy of Eland Trainee Monitor where I spent a couple of months learning more about these beautiful animals. In January 2020 I applied for and was successful in being appointed a Penguin Ranger with the Simons Town penguin colony, where I still am stationed today.

I believe my short journey through the last two phases within the crèche to career Nature Connect process demonstrates the heart of Nature Connect: to enable and then place, capable individuals in the green economy.