For nearly a quarter of a century, Di Jones has been the driving force behind environmental protection along the Dolphin Coast.

Now the Salt Rock resident is preparing to pass on the torch at the Dolphin Coast Conservancy.

Since taking on the role in November 2001, Di has become synonymous with tackling environmental issues.

“You cannot turn your back on an environmental issue if you are programmed that way, as I am,” she said.

Originally from Johannesburg, Di worked with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), managing projects across the Transvaal and later Gauteng. She brought that community-organising ethos to the coast after relocating in 1998 and joining the Conservancy in the same year.

“What my time with WESSA taught me is that there are many passionate people, but volunteer work needs a ‘spider in the middle of the web’ to pull all the strands together,” she said.

“Conservancy founder Keith Duane handed over to Jane Bertram, who was followed by Simon Bundy and Brian Strode before my time. They all laid excellent groundwork.”

Di’s tenure as chairperson coincided with extensive development along the coast, as well as major natural disasters, including the 2007 storms that battered the coastline and the devastating floods of 2022.

“I particularly recall organising volunteers after the 2007 storm, removing rubble and debris and, believe it or not, keeping people safe who wanted to peer over the uneven edge,” she said.

When it came to monitoring developments and large projects, Di said it was helpful not to be professionally linked to them.

“That allowed me to sit on various committees and boards without any conflict of interest.”

She added that the North Coast is home to a wide range of environmental experts that she was grateful to be able to call on when needed.

The Conservancy’s primary role, however, is to clean and green public open spaces. This includes removing alien plant species, planting trees and clearing natural waste.

“We have an excellent ‘green team’. Our work often goes unnoticed by the general public, but you would certainly notice if we were not around.”

Di said she looks back on her time with the Conservancy fondly, but is equally excited about the future, with founder Keith Duane’s daughter-in-law, Tessa Duane, taking over as chairperson.

“I have been looking for the right person for a long time and feel incredibly fortunate that Tessa has come along. I will never stop caring about the environment or these causes, and will always be around to offer help where I can.”

The Dolphin Coast Conservancy currently has 40 corporate members and 62 family members, and welcomes new members. Membership costs R200 per family per year.

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