Springs conservation stalwart Stanley Madden, affectionately known as ‘Mr Blesbokspruit’, has reached a remarkable milestone, turning 99 years old and already setting his sights on his 100th birthday.

The Dunattor resident celebrated his birthday at the Springs Senior Citizen Club on September 11. His birthday is on September 14.

Madden told the Springs Advertiser that he still feels fit and believes there is no reason why he cannot make it to 100.

For Madden, the milestone is not only about his age but also about a lifetime of family, conservation and educating others about the natural environment.

His connection with Springs and its natural spaces stretches back decades. He worked in the mining industry from 1943 to 1976, but his passion for nature kept growing.

Known as Stan, Madden became heavily involved in protecting wetlands, birdlife and wildlife in and around Springs after leaving the mining industry.

His conservation efforts helped establish the Marievale Bird Sanctuary and develop the surrounding nature reserves and wetland education facilities. Madden is quick to point out, however, that the work was never his alone.

“Nothing can be done by yourself. You have got to get people behind you; you’ve got to encourage people,” he said.

He also dedicated years to teaching others about birdlife, running bird courses that helped people identify and understand the species around them.

His courses reached communities as far as the West Rand, while he also lectured at the Johannesburg Zoo.

For Madden, one of the greatest rewards has been seeing people he taught go on to contribute to conservation.

He recalled one person who had little knowledge of birds and waterfowl but later became a manager at the Grootvlei Wetland Reserve and its education centre, saying it was an achievement to see someone he taught rise through the ranks.

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While conservation has been an important part of his life, Madden said that some of his happiest memories involve his family.

He has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and remembers taking them hiking and walking through the bush and mountains.

“I think hiking with my grandchildren was one of the highlights of my life,” he shared.

One of his great-grandchildren, who now lives in Australia, still contacts him to reminisce about the time they spent hiking together.

Madden said he considers being fit and healthy enough to enjoy those moments with his great-grandchildren as one of the greatest privileges of his life.

His daughter Cheryl, who lives with him and helps care for him, expressed that reaching 99 is a blessing.

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“I think it is wonderful and a blessing for me to have lived with my dad for so long. He has taught me a lot and has taught us all a lot,” she said.

She described Madden as the family patriarch, saying he is respected and looked up to by those around him.

As he turns 99, Madden hopes younger people will continue exploring and learning from Springs’ natural environment.

“There is still plenty of opportunity for them to get out and see what is around them, particularly the wetlands,” he said.

For a man who has spent much of his life protecting and teaching others about nature, Madden indicated that he would like to be remembered for his achievements in Springs and the conservation work he helped build. With his daughter firmly behind him, the next milestone is already in sight.

“Well done, Dad. Keep going, older man. One hundred, here we come,” said Cheryl.