Future conservation leaders honoured

The Junior Honorary Rangers, in partnership with South African National Parks (SANParks), hosted a prize-giving ceremony at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden on Saturday, January 10.

Junior Honourary Rangers is a non-profit organisation and a registered SANParks volunteer.

According to Erlo Duncan, one of the Junior Rangers’ executive members, the organisation targets young individuals from an early age and teaches them about the ecosystem and ways to protect nature from hazardous situations through their yearly nature awareness programmes.

“Our goal is to create a connection between those who disregard nature’s needs and those who diligently strive to preserve it. So, we target the youth before they detach from nature,” said Erlo.

“We aim to assist SANParks in creating, maintaining, and promoting sustainable national parks that, through innovation and best practices, represent our biodiversity and cultural assets for the fair and just benefit of present and future generations,” he added.

Erlo believes the prize-giving ceremony helps encourage young individuals in and outside the organisation to take good steps in providing good service to nature.

Young individuals received certificates in different categories and phases, which included best team member, hardest worker, funniest, and others.

“I am happy for this reward because I worked very hard this year so that I could complete all my phases,” said Junior Ranger Joshua Glover.

Lexi Alvey, who recently completed Phase 3 of her programmes, encourages young individuals to start protecting and cleaning their parks.

“Young individuals should protect their parks before they become hazardous areas in communities,” Alvey said.

The organisation urges young individuals to start making a difference in public and private parks. Junior Honorary Rangers encourages those interested to join their programmes.