From his first role as a school-play orca, 14-year-old Romario Valentine stepped into a real-life mission as a guardian of the environment. He is currently channelling his passion for birds to lead a wave of change for our endangered feathered friends.
Mpumalanga, South Africa (10 March 2026) – At just 14 years old, Romario Valentine is already a powerhouse of inspiration: an environmental activist, bird conservation artist, author, and changemaker.
Currently based in Mpumalanga, this “KZN eco-pioneer” and dedicated ornithophile is now on a mission to protect the seabirds of the Western Cape.
His journey began at the age of six, sparked by a school play where he was cast as an orca (killer whale). After extensive research on his role, Romario discovered the impact pollutants were having on turtles, albatrosses, penguins and whales.
This fascination has remarkably progressed through the years. When Romario was 11 years old, he became the writer behind Protect our Planet – Take action with Romario – a vibrant guide on how anyone can become an Earth Guardian.
Since 2020, he has supported conservation efforts for Umgeni River Bird Sanctuary in Durban, Birds of Eden in Plettenberg Bay, in the Segera in Kenya with the Zeitz Foundation, and BirdLife South Africa’s Mouse-Free Marion Project.
Romario is also the proud ambassador for Ocean Sole (an upcycling organisation that transforms discarded flip flops found on the beaches in Kenya into colourful wildlife animals) and Youth for Lions South Africa (which campaigns for the protection of lions and to be kept in the wild).
An Award-Winning Enviro Champ
This teen change maker has been a recipient of numerous accolades, including the BirdLife South Africa Owlet Award, Reddam House Umhlanga Madiba Award, WESSA Youth Award and the Pick n Pay Hero Award. Internationally, he has received The Marine Conservation Society UK Young Optimist of the Year and in the USA, the Action for Nature Eco-Hero Award.
This year, as a wilderness warrior, he received phase one certification as a SANParks Junior Honorary Ranger in the Lowveld, allowing him to continue his calling to take care of nature and conserve wildlife, protecting South Africa’s natural heritage.
Protecting Our Seabirds
Currently, he has a 2026 Seabird Conservation campaign to help protect our aquatic feathered friends, which are nutrient recyclers and vital for the health of marine ecosystems.
Through this initiative, Romario is supporting three important projects by two incredible South African organisations. They are: SANCCOB’s efforts to save the Critically Endangered African Penguin, as well as the Albatross Task Force and the Mouse-Free Marion Project, both run by BirdLife South Africa.
All donations received will be divided equally between the three projects.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), with centres in both the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, rehabilitates seabirds, especially the African Penguin.
The Albatross Task Force (ATF) was launched in 2006 under the BirdLife International Marine Programme to promote the conservation of albatrosses and petrel species by decreasing seabird deaths caused by interactions with fishing gear in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
In recent years, with the incredible support of eco-buddies, family and other nature enthusiasts, Romario has been able to sponsor 57 hectares of Marion Island for Birdlife South Africa’s and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s (DFFE) Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project.
The MFM Project was established to eradicate the invasive House Mice, which are killing albatrosses and petrels on Marion Island. These rodents were accidentally introduced two centuries ago by sealers, and now many of the island’s seabird species face local extinction.
The MFM Project ‘Sponsor-a-Hectare’ initiative has passed 40% of its target. Romario aims to sponsor 100 hectares to help protect the seabirds on this 30,000-hectare sub-Antarctic island.
“To me, hope is…being a visionary and believing you can achieve anything with resilience and self-determination. Only together can we create an everlasting legacy and leave something glorious for future generations to come,” says Romario.
Support of his three chosen projects will be greatly appreciated. To donate to his mission, visit his campaign here.
Sources: Delsha Moodley
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