Pictured above: Educators participating in the NAAEE Educators Workshop

How can a butterfly’s feeding process inspire a classroom activity? How can nature help learners think differently about environmental challenges in their communities?

During May 2026, WESSA welcomed educators from six schools to the WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve for two practical workshops focused on environmental problem-solving through e-STEAM education and biomimicry.

The workshops introduced educators to creative approaches that combine Environmental Education, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. By bringing these disciplines together, e-STEAM encourages educators and learners to explore environmental challenges, understand their causes and develop practical solutions.

Equipping educators with tools for innovative learning

 

Pictured above: Six educators participating in the Concord Trust e-STEAM Project Educators workshop

The first workshop, held from 8–9 May 2026, formed part of the Concord Trust e-STEAM Project. Six educators from Zamuthule Primary School and Lions River Primary School participated in the two-day programme.

The second workshop took place from 15–16 May 2026 as part of the North American Association for Environmental Education Project. It brought together 10 educators from Woodlands Secondary School, Hawkstone Primary School, Curry’s Post Primary School and Crystal Springs Primary School.

Across both workshops, educators explored ways to integrate e-STEAM methodologies into classroom teaching and learner engagement. The sessions introduced arts-based learning and biomimicry, an approach that draws inspiration from nature when exploring challenges and possible solutions.

Turning environmental challenges into opportunities for learning

 

Pictured above: Educators participating in the NAAEE Project Educators Workshop

The workshops placed practical learning at the centre of the experience.

Educators took part in activities inspired by nature, including biomimicry exercises and, during the North American Association for Environmental Education workshop, butterfly feeding simulations.

They also worked through Problem Tree and Solution Flower exercises. These activities encouraged participants to identify environmental challenges, explore their causes and effects, and think critically about possible responses.

Team-building and critical-thinking activities in the e-STEAM room further demonstrated how creative, solution-based learning can encourage collaboration and active participation.

From educator workshops to learner-led solutions

 

The workshops mark the beginning of a longer learning journey for the participating schools.

Educators will take the knowledge and practical tools gained during the sessions back into their classrooms and school communities. With ongoing support through WESSA school visits and mentorship, participating schools will continue exploring environmental challenges and developing solutions throughout the year.

Learners will ultimately have an opportunity to develop prototypes that respond to the issues identified at their schools and present their ideas during a final showcase workshop.

Inspiring a new approach to environmental education

 

By combining environmental education with creativity, science and problem-solving, the workshops are helping educators create opportunities for learners to engage with real-world challenges in meaningful ways.

The WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve offered a fitting setting for this work: a space where educators could learn from nature while exploring how to help young people become thoughtful, innovative environmental problem-solvers.

When learners are encouraged to observe, ask questions and design solutions, environmental education becomes more than a lesson. It becomes a pathway to action.

Pictured above: WESSA X Engie – International Day for Biodiversity at Sedi-Laka Primary School

On 8 May 2026, Glenhaven Secondary School hosted a vibrant Trashion-Art Show that brought together learners from four Sun International schools: Glenhaven Secondary School, Palmview Secondary, Waterloo Secondary and Phoenix Secondary.

Learners competed in two creative categories, the Trashion Show and Waste Art, using their imagination to explore how discarded materials can be transformed into something meaningful. The event encouraged participants to think differently about waste and consider innovative solutions to waste-management challenges in their schools and communities.

 

The programme was supported by Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) Durban and Manaza Recycling, who shared practical insights on waste management and sustainability and assisted with adjudicating the competition.

 

The event celebrated creativity, environmental awareness and the power of young people to turn everyday waste into new ideas.

Congratulations to all participants, and especially to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners who walked away with amazing prizes for each category.

 

Pictured above: Engie staff & Sedi-Laka Primary School learners celebrating a successful day of planting initiatives

Pictured above: (left) Thokozani Maphalala and (right) Khwezi Dlomo

WESSA is pleased to welcome Thokozani Maphalala and Khwezi Dlomo, who have joined the Coastal Programme as interns based at the Durban office.

Their arrival brings fresh energy, practical skills and a shared commitment to environmental learning, responsible tourism and coastal conservation.

Why they joined WESSA

For Thokozani, who holds a Diploma in Tourism Management, joining WESSA is an opportunity to connect his passion for tourism with environmental protection. He sees tourism as “more than just travel”, but as a way for people to connect meaningfully with places, communities and nature.

WESSA’s mission of “People Caring for the Earth” strongly resonates with him, especially through programmes such as Blue Flag and Green Coast, which show how conservation and tourism can work together.

“I bring a visitor-focused perspective from my tourism background,” says Thokozani. “I understand guest experience and how sustainability influences travel choices.”

He hopes to contribute ideas that improve visitor engagement at WESSA tourism sites, including stronger sustainability messaging, better signage and simple feedback systems that help visitors understand how their actions support conservation.

Khwezi joins the team with a strong environmental background and valuable skills in GIS and data capturing. She is inspired by WESSA’s role in protecting the planet while educating and creating awareness in communities.

“As an environmentalist, WESSA aligns with my values of conserving nature while educating and creating awareness to different communities,” she says.

Khwezi is particularly interested in using her GIS and data skills to support coastal programmes such as Blue Flag, while also contributing her knowledge of coastal and environmental legislation. She hopes to grow her project coordination and management skills and deepen her understanding of what it takes to run effective Blue Flag and Green Coast initiatives.

 A clear interest in the future of sustainable tourism and environmental action

 Thokozani believes that green tourism creates opportunities beyond guiding and ranger work, including sustainability audits, eco-certification and environmental education. His advice to young people interested in this space is simple: learn the frameworks, understand the opportunities, and remember that “take only memories, leave only footprints” is not just a slogan, but the future of tourism.

Khwezi echoes this with a powerful reminder that sustainability is active and ongoing: “Green is a process, not a status. We need to think of ‘green’ as a verb, not an adjective.”

“As they begin their internship journey, Thokozani and Khwezi will support WESSA’s Coastal Programme in strengthening environmental awareness, visitor engagement and practical conservation action along South Africa’s coastline,” adds Mike Denison, WESSA Coastal Programme Senior Manager.

WESSA looks forward to seeing their growth, ideas and contributions take shape as part of the Durban team.

Pictured above: Louelle Chelsea Philander

WESSA is excited to welcome Louelle Chelsea Philander as our new Northern Cape Coordinator: Schools & Youth Unit.

Louelle brings a strong science-based foundation to the role, with a BSc Honours in Environmental and Water Science and experience across biodiversity management, project coordination, community-based environmental education and stakeholder engagement. Her work has included invasive species management, ecological restoration, environmental education, community outreach, skills development workshops and programme monitoring and reporting.

Louelle brings a strong science-based foundation to the role, with a BSc Honours in Environmental and Water Science and experience across biodiversity management, project coordination, community-based environmental education and stakeholder engagement. Before joining WESSA, she worked with L Noah Supplies and Projects, the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department, including the Invasive Species Unit (Green Jobs Project) and Environmental Capacity Building Unit, as well as SANParks’ Addo Elephant National Park as the Tourism Monitor – Socio-Economic Transformation Department, where her work included ecological restoration, invasive species management, environmental education, community outreach, skills development workshops and programme reporting.

For Louelle, joining WESSA is an opportunity to deepen the impact of environmental education in schools and communities.

“Through my experience, I have witnessed the powerful role environmental education plays in engaging communities, fostering a sense of stewardship, and driving meaningful conservation outcomes.”

In her first year, Louelle hopes to strengthen engagement with schools and create lasting impact by helping learners and communities turn environmental awareness into meaningful action.

“I see these programmes as an investment in people – because when individuals carry the message forward, apply what they’ve learned, and share it with others, the impact grows far beyond just one interaction.”

Welcome to the team, Louelle. We’re excited to see the impact you will help grow across the Northern Cape.