Western Cape Environmental Education Forum
Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve is now a member of the Western Cape Environmental Education Forum (WCEEF), also known as WC EE Friends! Three CWBR representatives attended the first ever WCEEF Environmental Education/ Education for Sustainable Development Regional Conference mid-August 2023 for some peer-to-peer learning, brainstorming, and networking.
The event took place at the Avenue Conference Centre, Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, V&A Waterfront. Hosted by one of the WCEEF stakeholder Cape Leopard Trust. With a theme of "Educate, Empower, Preserve: Greening the Future with Environmental Education," the conference brought together 75 representatives from National and Provincial departments, Local and District municipalities, NGOs, Higher Institutions of Learning, and a multitude of EE focused organizations.
The WCEEF is a collaborative platform coordinated by the Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning through the Directorate: Sustainability and the City of Cape Town’s Capacity Building Unit.
"The purpose of the Forum is to encourage co-operative governance by improving the quality and quantity of environmental education and ESD activities delivered to communities, schools and other public entities in the Western Cape". Read full WCEEF Conference Report – link below
The City of Cape Town engaged all WCEEF partners to share current areas where they are active with schools’ programmes. The data gathered was used to generate Geographical Information System (GIS) information about the impact and effectiveness of EE programmes and where WCEEF members are collectively active through school programmes and various projects. Through this exercise it was identified that there is a great need to reach under-resourced rural schools in the province.
Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on environmental education in the Western Cape!
WCEEF Handbook: https://wcedeportal.co.za/eresource/230571