Any South African Can Nominate a Local Hero for These Environmental Awards!

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Seeking South Africa’s conservation heroes worth knowing about – individuals, community and volunteer groups, educators, and more!

South Africa (12 May 2026) – Do you know someone who has always stood up for the environment? It could perhaps be a community volunteer, an educator, a youth leader making an impact, or even an organisation making a positive change for the planet.

This is how you can help them get the recognition they deserve!

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has officially opened nominations for the WESSA100 Conservation Leadership Awards.

The nationwide initiative was launched as part of the organisation’s 100th birthday celebration this year. The awards aim to honour 100 conservation leaders who have shaped South Africa’s environmental journey.

“For 100 years, WESSA has been shaped by people who chose to act – often quietly, consistently, and without recognition. These awards are about bringing those stories to light. They are about honouring individuals and organisations whose work has created real, measurable change for our environment and communities,” says Cindy-Lee Cloete, CEO of WESSA.

Pretty much anyone doing good work for the environment can be nominated. Award categories include Individuals, Youth (under 35), Corporations, Community and volunteer groups, as well as Educator of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.

There are also two exciting new additions, including the Rising Star Award, which celebrates the next generation of environmental innovators already making a difference, and the CEO Awards, where WESSA’s CEO personally recognises individuals who have gone above and beyond for their communities and the environment.

Nominations can also be made posthumously, which means heroes who have left behind great legacies that deserve recognition won’t be left behind.

One of the most special things about these awards is that there’s no gatekeeping; any South African can put someone forward for nomination.

Says Morgan Griffiths, Chief Operations Officer at WESSA: “Across the country, there are individuals, educators, youth leaders and community groups doing extraordinary work that often goes unseen. This is an opportunity to elevate those contributions and ensure they are recognised at a national level. We encourage nominators to go beyond simply putting a name forward – strong nominations that clearly demonstrate impact, outcomes and sustained effort will play a critical role in ensuring these stories are properly acknowledged.”

If you’re nominating someone, you need to make it count. The stronger the evidence of impact, commitment and effort, the better chance their story has of scooping an award and the spotlight.

“As we look ahead to the next century, it is leadership grounded in action, collaboration and long-term impact that will define how we respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental inequality.” Cloete says.

Selected winners will be invited to attend the official awards ceremony at WESSA’s 100th AGM in October 2026!

Nominations close on 31 July 2026. Head to the WESSA website to submit yours and make sure South Africa’s unsung conservation heroes finally get their moment in the sun.