The Modderfontein-based Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) was recently awarded the 2013 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation.
The highly coveted prize was presented to the EWT’s Head of Conservation Science, Dr Harriet Davies-Mostert, during the opening of the World Science Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The award recognises outstanding contributions by individuals, groups of individuals, institutes or organisations for the management or preservation of the environment, consistent with the policies, aims and objectives of UNESCO.
The EWT was recognised for its work in protecting the country’s Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO World Heritage sites. In particular, its efforts to protect the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site and buffer zone from the threat of coal mining. The EWT promoted global interest in the region and developed a multi-party coalition which engaged members from local communities, archaeological and heritage associations, biodiversity NGOs and legal experts, to hold commercial mining interests to account. The EWT liaised with local, regional and international bodies, including UNESCO, to support its efforts to protect the region and has maintained an active presence in the area, monitoring impact and ensuring compliance.
In the Kruger 2 Canyons Biosphere Reserve, which includes part of the Kruger National Park, the EWT has contributed to the fight against rhino poaching. The EWT assisted rhino owners and managers to improve security and prevent rhino poaching on their properties. The EWT also leads the protection of several endangered species, specifically through its efforts to conserve birds of prey and large carnivores. The EWT led the establishment of the International Vulture Awareness Day in 2006 to create awareness of the plight of vultures and to highlight the work being done to save them. Due to the success of this event, International Vulture Awareness Day now has a global footprint that comprises of 152 partner organisations from 45 countries.
The EWT’s innovative project on African Painted Dogs in Kruger National Park enlists the help of tourists as citizen scientists. This enables close monitoring of South Africa’s last viable population of this endangered species.
In the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, the EWT is lobbying for the strategic and pro-active mainstreaming of biodiversity into the development of the Waterberg Coal Corridor, a strategic infrastructure project approved by the South African Presidency. The EWT engages with relevant stakeholders to develop collaborative approaches and incentives to minimise biodiversity impacts, improve practices (especially in terms of mining, and leverage biodiversity outcomes through rehabilitation), off-site mitigation and investment in ecological infrastructure.
Dr Davies-Mostert said that she was incredibly honoured that the EWT were chosen as recipients of the prize. “We are excited that our leadership in managing environmentally sensitive areas and our initiation of a variety of conservation activities and approaches that have had lasting positive impacts for southern Africa’s biodiversity and the wellbeing of its people have been recognised and rewarded on this prestigious international platform. This is also an amazing birthday present for the EWT as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary of conservation in action on the African continent,” she said.
The recipients of the prize are decided by the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, on the recommendation of an independent jury. As of 2013, the financial Prize reward is US $70 000, a donation made by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman. On this occasion, the EWT shared the prize with State Forests National Forest Holding of Poland, an agency responsible for the management of Poland’s vast forest reserves.
For more information about the prize and about the EWT, contact Dr Davies-Mostert via email at harrietd@ewt.org.za.
