Wild Futures: Youth-Led Conservation at Thornybush Community
“Young people, when informed and empowered, when they realise that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world.” – Jane Goodall
At Thornybush, we believe that conservation isn’t just about preserving the environment; it’s about empowering the next generation to understand, value, and ultimately protect it. This
World Conservation Day (28 July), we are focusing on the young minds who are growing into guardians of our planet through the innovative youth programmes run by
Thornybush Community.
One of our most exciting new projects is
Kids in Conservation, a school holiday programme designed for children aged 10 to 14, primarily the children of Thornybush employees. Over three days, these young learners are immersed in hands-on conservation experiences that ignite curiosity and instill practical knowledge.
Working towards their
Scouts conservation badges, the children complete activities that build essential life and environmental skills:
- Self-awareness and self-management
- Creativity and communication
- Problem-solving and decision-making
These soft skills are paired with an introduction to conservation practices in the Thornybush Nature Reserve, including:
- Anti-poaching insights through canine and mounted units
- Bush tracking and ecological awareness
- Water resource management
- Identification of indigenous medicinal plants
Beyond environmental education,
Kids in Conservation helps children connect with the rich cultural and natural heritage of the land they live beside, transforming the bush into a classroom and safari guides into mentors.
These impactful experiences are made possible through our valued partnerships with
Conservation South Africa,
Nourish Eco Village, the
Mikalsky family, and the
Thornybush Nature Reserve.
Another remarkable initiative supported by Thornybush Community is
Wild Shots Outreach, a programme that uses photography to spark a deeper interest in wildlife and conservation among disadvantaged youth.
Since its launch in 2015, Wild Shots Outreach has engaged hundreds of high school learners and unemployed youth from rural communities surrounding the Greater Kruger National Park. Through a combination of workshops and field experiences, participants gain both technical photography skills and a new lens through which to view the world around them.
Each course concludes with an unforgettable game drive through Thornybush Nature Reserve, where students apply their new skills in real time, capturing images of wildlife they may never have had the chance to see before.
To date, more than 410 learners have had their first safari game drive experience thanks to our collaboration with Wild Shots Outreach, which began in 2018. Each participating school receives a donated camera, ensuring continued learning and creative expression beyond the course.
Donations of old DSLR cameras and binoculars are always welcome and help keep this life-changing programme going strong.
At Thornybush Community, we know that the future of conservation lies in the hands of today’s youth. By investing in their education, exposure, and empowerment, we’re nurturing the next generation of conservation champions. As Sir David Attenborough so poignantly said, “The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are dependent on that world… It is the most precious thing we have, and we need to defend it.”
This
World Conservation Day, let’s honour that truth and the young people rising to defend it.
