WESSA
Encyclopedia
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
The Society (previously known as the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa and still earlier as Wild Life Protection and Conservation Society) is a non-governmentNon-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
environmental organization
Environmental organization
An environmental organization is an organization that seeks to protect, analyze or monitor the environment against misuse or degradation or lobby for these goals....
(NGO) of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, was established in 1926, but its origins go back to the 1890s.
Relevance to establishment of other conservation bodies
The organisation in 1926 - largely through the efforts and support of Sydney SkaifeSydney Skaife
Sydney Harold Skaife D.Sc FRSSAf. was an eminent South African entomologist and naturalist. His career and educational publications covered a wide field...
materialising in 1929 in the establishment of the Wild Life Protection and Conservation Society - helped to establish the National Parks Board of South Africa
South African National Parks
South African National Parks is the body responsible for managing South Africa's national parks. SANParks was formed in 1926, and currently manages 20 parks consisting of , about 3% of the total area of South Africa....
, and the (official) proclamation of the Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers and extends from north to south and from east to west.To the west and south of the Kruger National Park are the two South African provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. In the north is Zimbabwe, and to the east is...
.http://www.wessa.org.za/index.php/Organisation/History-of-WESSA.html
Activities
Nationally WESSA produces two magazines:- Environment - People and Conservation in Africe has replaced "African Wildlife"
- EnviroKids Started as an insert in African Wildife in 1972, became Toktokkie magazine in 1976, and changed name to EnviroKids magazine in 1998. The intent is to promote environmental awareness in children.
Each Region produces its own monthly or bi-monthly newsletter.
WESSA participates in the activities of the international Foundation for Environmental Education
Foundation for Environmental Education
The Foundation for Environmental Education is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education...
and has earned several of its Blue Flag beach
Blue Flag beach
The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe,...
certifications.
Wessa supports the international Eco-Schools Programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education
Foundation for Environmental Education
The Foundation for Environmental Education is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education...
. The South African effort was launched in 2003.