Darwin200 Young Leaders & CapeNature Launch Inspiring Documentaries
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.
Related News
Western Cape fire season shows record early intensity and significant increase in fire activity
The 2025–2026 summer fire season began with exceptional intensity for CapeNature – official statistics showed a sharp rise in fire ignitions, high temperatures, and a large expanse of burnt areas across the Western Cape. Historically, the fire season is considered to run from 1 October to 31 March. However, activity began as early as September 2025, well before the traditional high-risk period from November onwards.
Wildfires intensify as climate shifts, CapeNature warns in emergency podcast series
CapeNature has released a special series of its acclaimed Green Noise podcast, offering an urgent and deeply human perspective on South Africa’s recent wildfire season. The series has a particular focus on the devastating fires in the Cederberg Wilderness and changing weather patterns. The fire in the Cederberg Wilderness, which ignited on 22 December 2025 along Uitkyk Pass
Western Cape to benefit from CapeNature’s 2026 Greening Initiative
CapeNature is launching a fun and engaging greening competition for schools and communities across the Western Cape. The competition will start on 13 April 2026 to coincide with International Plant Appreciation Day and will run until 15 May 2026. The initiative aims to inspire learners and community members to actively participate in protecting the environment.
A follow up: The potential impacts of Red Swamp crayfish in Western Cape waters
Since first being found in the canal systems of lower Olifants River in 2022 by CapeNature officials, invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) are being found further afield in the Western Cape at an alarming rate. This freshwater species is globally recognised as a seriously damaging invasive species.
Over 43 000 Cape Gannets on Lambert’s Bay Bird Island this breeding season
Bird Island is alive with the sounds and spectacle of seabirds, with an estimated over 43 000 Cape Gannets currently making the island their home this breeding season. The thriving colony reinforces Bird Island, Lambert’s Bay, as one of South Africa’s most important gannet breeding sites and highlights the impact of ongoing marine conservation work.
Water Week: Protecting Our Most Precious Resource
Water is fundamental to life and essential to our daily wellbeing. While this may seem widely understood, it remains important to continually remind ourselves of the value of this finite resource. Although approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only about 2.5% of it is freshwater available to sustain ecosystems and human needs.