To raise awareness about the increased risks of diabetes and abuse affecting women and children, a community engagement session was held yesterday at the eNkovukeni Community Resource Hub in northern KZN.

This week, WILDTRUST’s Nonduduzo Mkhize and Manqoba Sabela visited the KwaZibi Mobile Clinic to conduct a session with the local Women’s Peer Support Group.

Last week, the KwaDapha Community Resource Hub hosted a kitchen garden training session for community members who recently received their own kitchen gardens as part of The Light Foundation initiative.

Recently, a creative art workshop was hosted at the Mabibi Community Resource Hub, facilitated by Durban mural artists Dylan Smith and Giffy Duminy. The session brought together local artists and community members eager to grow their drawing and artistic skills.

The school gardens project is ready to bring life back to Sokhulu’s school yards! Last week, from the 20th to 24th October, the Sokhulu Community Resource Hub and Restoration teams rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

2 years after end of grant, we ask partners to do 'Ex-post survey' re sustainability of interventions, impact on MPA, organisation, communities, availability of follow up funding... Today, we sent 📬 invite to @wildtrust.co.za re 'iSimangaliso I' ogy.de/062b @oceanthayne.bsky.social

In celebration of the International Day of Climate Action, a global initiative observed annually on October 24 to raise awareness and inspire action against climate change, the eNkovukeni Community Resource Hub staff organised an educational event to engage community members in sustainable practices

Yesterday, the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) Project, with AfricaIgnite, one of WILDTRUST’s key partners, hosted a vibrant workshop at the Mabibi Community Resource Hub, bringing together talented community members skilled in crafting and knitting.

All Hands-on Deck for the uMhlazi Community Resource Hub! Earlier this month marked the start of work for the newly hired trainees for the upcoming uMhlazi Community Resource Hub, under the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project.

Last week, WILDTRUST, in partnership with Nedbank and the Youth Employment Service (YES), visited the Blue Port Project team at the Royal Natal Yacht Club harbour.

The Small-Scale Fishers (SSF) Awareness and Field Outings Knowledge-Building Classes officially kicked off on earlier this month, bringing together community members and children to learn about the ocean and the ecosystems that support their livelihoods.

As this series has explained, Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) refers to the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of a strategy to help people adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Youth teams under the uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project have officially launched the planting season by planting 450 indigenous trees in the Nyembe Coastal Dune Forest, located in Nyembe under the Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority.

@wildtrust.co.za is strengthening small-scale fisheries co-management and 17 of 39 committee nominees are women 👏🏾 Women's participation is not only about offering a seat at the table. It’s about building the confidence to take it 🪑 #GenderEquality #Fisheries Photo credits: Mnqobi Zuma | WILDTRUST

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WILDTRUST recently hosted a valuable learning exchange at the newly launched Nyembe Community Resource Hub, focusing on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies to support subsistence farmers in overcoming challenges related to wetland farming.

National Marine Week is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of marine environments and promoting their conservation. It’s a time for people to learn about oceans, seas, and marine life, and to take action to protect these vital ecosystems.

On the final day of the WIOMSA Symposium, the @blueactionfund.org hosted a special session profiling nine of their projects across the Western Indian Ocean with nature-based solutions at the heart of every discussion.

Yesterday, the Nyembe community, under the Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority, came out in numbers to witness the long-awaited launch of the first-ever Community Resource Hub in the uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project.

Nature-based Solutions Nature-based Solutions (NbS) protect, restore, and manage ecosystems to address climate change.

How do we make science heard? That was the question driving today’s discussions on Day 3 of #WIOMSA2025, as the spotlight turned to science communication.

Day 2 of #WIOMSA2025 saw the spotlight on Ocean Literacy and Education in the WIO: Exploring Approaches and Assessing Impacts.

How Nature Helps, Floods, Droughts & Heat Waves Climate change is making floods, droughts, and heat waves more intense — but healthy habitats can help: During floods: forests and wetlands slow water runoff, absorb rainwater, and reduce flood damage.

The #WIOMSA2025 conference officially began with a youth-led mini symposium, moderated by Tracy Khuzwayo, the Future Leaders Initiative Manager at WILDTRUST.

WILDTRUST recently hosted a two-day first-aid training workshop for the community monitors from Nyembe, Nqutshini and Sokhulu communities in the Small-Scale Fishers and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) project.

Impacts: Coastal Erosion & Foods Coastal erosion is the gradual loss of shoreline caused by waves, currents, tides, and rising sea levels — often made worse by extreme storms.

ON THE NEWS! Ezemvelo, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), two of WILDTRUST’s key partners, together with our scientists, have been featured in The Citizen article titled “Sea life thriving in uThukela Banks marine protected area.”

The KwaSokhulu and Nyembe communities were delighted to be guests at an event that they have been eagerly awaiting for. The event was hosted by WILDTRUST’s Small-Scale Fishers and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Project, in the respective communities last week.

WILDTRUST's Community Livelihoods team of the uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project, funded by the @blueactionfund.org, recently hosted a women's and children's safety and awareness event in the Nyembe community under the Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority.

Yesterday, WILDTRUST’s Blue Port Project team partnered with Youth4MPAs to lead a beach clean-up at uShaka Beach to celebrate International Coastal Clean-Up Day. The initiative underscored the importance of keeping this popular tourism destination clean and free from pollution.

In celebration of Arbour Month, WILDTRUST’s Ocean and Awareness team visited six schools in the Macambini and Mkhwanazi Traditional Authorities in northern KwaZulu-Natal. During these visits, the team donated more than 20 indigenous trees, including Wild Plum, Red Stinkwood, and Pepper-bark

Calling all youth ocean champions attending the WIOMSA Symposium! Join us for Mini Symposium 12: Ocean Literacy, a dynamic mini-symposium focused on Connecting Young People & The Ocean. 🗓 Date: Monday, 29 September 2025 🕓 Time: 16h00–17h40 EAT 📍 Venue: Black Marlin RSVP here!: bit.ly/3ImuECZ

Climate Change Basics What is climate change, and why does it matter to you? It’s the long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns, caused mainly by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Recently, WILDTRUST hosted a two-day training session for Youth Employment Service (YES) assistants at the Mabibi Community Resource Hub. The session was facilitated by Siyabonga Shabalala, Hubs Facilitator and Trainer, and focused on professionalism in the workplace.

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After a week of inspiring and thought-provoking presentations, the South African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS) 2025 officially concluded today.

Yesterday, wrapping up day three of the South African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS) 2025, WILDTRUST’s Research Assistant Sibusiso Mkhabela delivered an eye-opening presentation on the Ecological Impact of Plastic Pollution in Durban Bay, South Africa.

Day two of the South African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS) 2025 has officially concluded after a day filled with captivating and thought-provoking presentations. From powerful science storytelling to cutting-edge research.

Ecosystem Benefits From shielding our coasts to storing carbon, healthy ecosystems deliver benefits we often take for granted — but can’t live without. In this post, we explore five powerful ways nature supports climate resilience and community well-being:

The South African Marine Science Symposium (SAMSS) kicked off today at the Southern Sun Cape Sun in Cape Town, Western Cape.

Earlier this month, the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project, funded by the @blueactionfund.org, hosted a Women Empowerment Graduate Workshop at the KwaDapha Community Resource Hub.

Mangroves act as nature’s coastal shields, with roots that store up to four times more carbon dioxide than rainforests. Mangroves are climate superheroes. They shelter fish and crustaceans, buffer wave energy, and protect communities from extreme weather.

To promote sustainable living and climate-smart gardening skills, Vusumuzi Tsipa, the Ecosystem Restoration Coordinator, and Mazwi Dlamini from Mahlathini Development Foundation hosted a permaculture and organic gardening workshop at the eNkovukeni Community Resource Hub for YES assistants.

Earlier this month, WILDTRUST attended the Wildcoast Community of Practice session at Ikhaya Labantwana Pre-School in Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape. The event brought together ten other pre-schools from the Wildcoast/Bulungulu Incubator network, a rural-development non-profit organization.

Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) involves using healthy ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, mangroves, and grasslands, to help people adapt to climate change.

Over the weekend, The Ocean Stewards Project Team hosted their Annual Science Communication Workshop at The Hatchery in uThukela, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

WILDTRUST Environmental Educators are working tirelessly to keep environmental learning alive in the vibrant communities of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. Through creativity and a deep love for the natural world, they turn weekends into windows of discovery for local children.

Last week, WILDTRUST, in partnership with Nedbank through the Youth Employment Services (YES), held a progress and review session for the YES assistants working at the eNkovukeni Community Resource Hub under the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project.

Last month the National Department of Social Development (DSD) continued its Siyavuya programme at the eNkovukeni Community Resource Hub. The initiative is designed to reduce child maltreatment and improve developmental outcomes for children from high-risk, low-income families.

WILDTRUST’s uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project recently hosted an Efficient Cooking Demonstration at the Nyembe Hub under the Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority. The event aimed to promote energy and water conservation, healthy cooking, and organic farming.