KNYSNA NEWS - The Rotary Club of Knysna in partnership with the Knysna Elephant Park recently hosted the third Environmental Youth Symposium and Eco-Science Awards, bringing together learners from across the Garden Route to showcase innovative environmental projects.
Five high schools and seven primary schools gathered at the Elephant Park's 'sleeping shed' to present projects aimed at addressing environmental challenges and promoting conservation.
This year's symposium challenged primary school learners to explore the theme 'Guardians of our Environment', demonstrating how children and communities can take practical steps to protect and improve their surroundings.
High school learners focused on 'Fynbos, our living treasure', highlighting the importance of the unique ecosystem and ways young people can contribute to its conservation.
The event was hosted for the third consecutive year by Jason Oberholster of Keurbosch School, while Jarrett Joubert of the African Elephant Research Unit (Aeru) delivered the keynote address. Judging was undertaken by Nondumiso Mgwenya and Lwazi Khuzwayo of SANParks, together with Jason Reid of Aeru.
Hornlee Primary School claimed gold in the primary school category, followed by Forest Edge Schools with silver and Concordia Primary School with bronze.
Participation certificates were awarded to Fraaisig Primary, Keurbosch School, Seabridge School and Thembelitsha Primary.
In the high school category, Knysna Secondary School took top honours, with Keurbosch School receiving silver and Plettenberg Bay Secondary School bronze. Forest Edge Schools and Knysna High School received participation certificates.
The symposium not only show-cased environmental awareness and innovation but also provided learners with an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another and build new friendships. A highlight for many participants was the opportunity to meet and feed the resident elephants at the park.
This year's event also marked the introduction of the Michael Spies Eco Award, a new annual Rotary environmental award recognising individuals, schools or organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to environmental protection.
The award honours the late Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow Michael Spies, a passionate environmentalist who played a leading role in environmental education in the region and initiated the first Knysna Rotary Schools Eco-Science Symposium in 2024.
Members of the Spies family attended the event, where his wife, Jane, presented the inaugural 2026 Michael Spies Eco Award to the Hornlee Primary School team.
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