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Darwin200 Young Leaders & CapeNature Launch Inspiring Documentaries

9 Jul 2025

The DARWIN200 project is developing the world’s top young conservationists as they gain practical experience studying conservation subjects. These leaders are developing the skills and abilities to change the world of tomorrow, taking this experience into their future conservation careers.

Travelling with legendary Dutch Tall Ship Oosterschelde, the young scientists went ashore in Cape Town to meet up with a number of scientists from various organisations to document worthy conservation projects. The DARWIN200 Project is retracing English naturalist Charles Darwin’s 19th-century voyage, stopping at 32 ports around the globe by July 2025. The sailing ship’s crew is composed of 200 young people who work in environmental conservation around the world, taking turns aboard the vessel to learn about projects in the places where they moor.

CapeNature was chosen to highlight three of its groundbreaking programmes. Working hand in hand with Dr Marienne De Villiers from CapeNature, Gift Munsaka and Joshua Aiita produced awe-inspiring videos on the Cape vulture colony of Potberg and the bontebok at De Hoop Nature Reserve respectively.

Sharona Shnayder travelled further ashore to Groenvlei where she created a beautiful and heart-warming video, called “The Lake We Share” telling the story of how invasive carp is used to feed a local community.

The videos can be watched here.

The DARWIN200 collaborative mission underscores the global commitment to safeguarding biodiversity while providing hands-on experience for the next generation of conservationists.

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