ECO-FOCUSED IN A CHANGING WORLD

COACHING CONSERVATION (CC) is a childrens’ environmental education program with extensive reach throughout Botswana and South Africa. With a focus on developing empathy for wildlife and wild habitats in order to motivate concern for threatened species and affect attitudinal and behavioural change, CC’s ‘Learning from Wildlife’ model inspires the protection of animals by harnessing kids’ natural enthusiasm for soccer and play. The animals that they aim to protect are introduced as ‘Wildlife Mentors’ possessing highly developed, learned skills and strategies that help them to thrive and be resilient, just like elite athletes. Over the past decade, CC has evolved into a holistic, values based programme inspiring kids to care about themselves, each other and the natural world around them. Over 70,000 children at 124 schools have participated in a CC program. Over 8,000 children have enjoyed a CC day in the bush, many for the first time.