Essex Issues & Local edition of our Career in the Wilderness series

In the recent Campfire Questions with Graham Game we covered some of the challenges facing Essex.

Here's a follow-up - First a story from Monday's Guardian on the RPSB's conservation efforts in Essex:

Back to nature: £12m plan to let sea flood reclaimed land and recreate lost habitats

· Scheme could reverse 500 years of British history
· RSPB backs saltmarsh haven for rare wildlife
- Full story

Secondly, lots of our trails alumni want to make a difference in Wilderness conservation not to mention the environment in general - that's why we do everything we can to link them up with green opportunities when they return from trail. Most are posted directly to our Facebook Group but when it comes to career choices we thought the full readership might have interest in these local opportunities:

• Conservation Officer - Essex Wildlife Trust, Colchester
• Project Manager - Thames Chase - Essex County Council
• Access and Interpretation Officer - Thames Chase - Essex County Council

Further on the local front: You can learn more about managing coastal environments - and specifically the Essex Blackwater estuary in the OU's OpenLearn as mentioned amongst other resources in the Graham Game article.

Earlier in the career series:

• Career in the Wilderness?
  
• Career in the Wilderness - Broad Green Edition

Career in the Wilderness?

We regularly receive job/career-inquiries here at the Wilderness Foundation - And whilst we do not currently have any vacancies, it pains us to turn away people who clearly are dedicated and enthusiastic about preservation of Wild places throughout the world.

That's why we've pulled together a few recent opportunities posted on Idealist.org from organisations elsewhere which may be of interest:

• The Alaska Wilderness League is looking for a Director of Field Operations and a Western Arctic Campaign Director
• Also in Alaska; The Sitka Conservation Society is looking for a Conservation Director
• The Wilderness Society is looking for an Alaskan Economist
  
• The Campaign for America's Wilderness is trying to find a communications associate
• A bit further afield, namely the Turks & Caicos Islands, The School for Field Studies is needing a Student Affairs Manager with wilderness experience

On a side note - A couple of previous articles from us on Alaska: Inside the Artice Wildlife Refuge - NYRB Article / BBC Radio 4 - Alaskan Wilderness on Excess Baggage /
Looking for Wilderness on Google Books.

-The last World Wilderness Congress was of course also held there: http://www.8wwc.org/

Career in the Wilderness - Broad Green Edition

Here's an autumn update to our previous posting on Career in the Wilderness? Last time we looked at specific opportunities - This time we round up some of the best places to look for green jobs in general:

• Bright Green - UK Specific. Also check out their Bright Greenies Group on Facebook
• Environmentjobs.co.uk - They've just revamped their site
• Nonprofit Jobs on Idealist.org - Worldwide -
• Professional Opportunities on TakingITGlobal
• Treehugger Job Board - Mainly North America but slowly going global -

Talking of Facebook - Join Wilderness Foundation Friends there too.

Africa Geographic Magazine: Ian Player

Wilderness Foundation patron and founder Dr. Ian Player is featured in the April issue of Africa Geographic Magazine

Game ranger, conservationist, author, Wilderness Leadership School founder − Ian Player is a man of many parts. He speaks to Ian McCallum about his rewarding career.

Published in South Africa, the magazine is available on subscription from the Africa Geographic website.

First game ranger intake for Umzi Wethu

The Wilderness Foundation UK actively supports the Umzi Wethu social project in South Africa. We are pleased to relay the lastest new received from the project:

The first intake of trainee game rangers has been enrolled in South Africa’s pioneering Umzi Wethu, which is harnessing the power of nature to create career opportunities for socially vulnerable young people.

In April 2006, the Umzi Wethu campus in Port Elizabeth opened with its first group of students, who are now in their ninth month of training for hospitality positions in the eco-tourism industry. They will graduate in July this year.

Umzi Wethu provides free training, accommodation, health care and allowances for young people who would otherwise have little hope of becoming productive members of society. It is an initiative of the Wilderness Foundation and over 35 partners from a number of sectors and disciplines.

“Best of all, through our links with the growing eco-tourism industry, we are able to provide jobs for successful students,” adds Muir.

The 2007 programme will meet a need for more game rangers in the Eastern Cape. The students are from rural Eastern Cape towns, including Pearston, Somerset East, Kirkwood and Steynsburg. All are being accommodated at the Umzi Wethu campus residence in the grounds of the Eastern Province Youth and Child Care Centre in Port Elizabeth.

The Umzi Wethu programme is unique in that it harnesses the healing power of nature to discover and fulfil the potential of socially vulnerable youth. As part of the life skills training and personal development students are taken on regular Wilderness Foundation trails throughout the Eastern Cape.

The trails are lead by the Umzi Wethu trail coordinator, and are aimed at promoting the students’ environmental awareness, self development, team building and life skills through the use of natural settings, says programme manager Debbie Gothan.

All Umzi Wethu students fall into the category of “socially vulnerable” youth, which includes those affected by HIV/Aids.

As part of the selection process, candidates are carefully assessed to ensure that they are “socially vulnerable,” she says. Over half of the students in the new intake have no source of income apart from a family member’s pension, 40 percent have lost one or both parents. Only one student still has both parents.

Despite these challenges, all students have a grade twelve certificate, and show a keen interest in changing their life’s circumstances, she says.

The 12 month game ranging course will culminate in guaranteed jobs for the successful students. Jobs have been secured at several well-known Eastern Cape Game Reserves, according to Muir.

During the first three months of the game ranging programme, the students will complete their Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) level one training. Students will also attend learners’ and drivers’ licence training before completion of their FGASA level two qualification (NQF level four).

What makes Umzi Wethu different from most training programmes is that it focuses on the whole person, and not just vocational skills. It includes skills training, wellness, wilderness trails, and mentorship.

The first input focused on training students for careers in the hospitality industry. The students are currently involved in practical training at Conyngham’s Coffee shop in Parson’s Hill.

Umzi Wethu is currently planning its third training programme, which will focus on housekeeping / accommodation services. A second hospitality programme is also being considered and is being planned for August 2007.

All funding to date has been raised by the Wilderness Foundation from foreign donors, and the foundation is looking for local support to help extend the concept into the rest of the country and other sectors.

“What we have shown is the Umzi Wethu approach works. We are keen for it to grow to enable thousands of socially vulnerable young people so that they can contribute to the growth of our young democracy instead of facing a life of poverty and being a prime recruiting ground for criminal gangs,” says Muir.

Visit www.umziwethu.org for more information.

Back to Basics - a presentation by Quinton Coetzee

We are pleased to bring you news of an opportunity to hear the inspirational Quinton Coetzee speak at the South African High Commission, London, in conjunction with The Mantis Collection:

Back to Basics - San Solutions

South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London
6:30pm for 7pm Thursday 1Oth April 2008

A 75-minute presentation by Quinton Coetzee for people who want to tap into their natural potential to improve their business skills and performance and gain a better understanding of themselves and others.

Quinton believes that every person is endowed with a deep-seated instinct to survive.. ..SURVIVE AT ALL COSTS AND AGAINST ALL ODDS! His powerful and riveting introduction leads an audience into the fascinating world of a San Bushman Tribe (the Company), their bush environment (the Marketplace), the wildlife on which they thrive (the Clients) and the predators with which they compete (the Competitors).

Using spectacular slides, he illustrates that everyone has dormant or under-utilised business skills. These skills need only to be set free or "unlocked" in order to realise maximum gain, both personally and for the company. In this regard, no-one beats the San. This is how successful business has always been done, is currently being done and will continue to be done. Everyone has the natural ability to do the same! This is the BACK TO BASICS approach.

THE PRESENTATION LOOKS AT THESE IMPORTANT BUSINESS ISSUES:

* Thriving on teamwork
* The challenge of change
* Knowing your clients
* Creativity and innovation
* Growing your income source
* Vision, strategy and self-motivation
* Adaptability, flexibility and versatility
* Dealing with competitors
* Boosting efficiency, effectiveness and productivity
* Stress and lifestyle management
* Recognising and exploiting hidden opportunities
* Coping with setbacks and adversity
* Complacency
* Work smarter, not harder
* Time management
* The Growth Imperative
* The necessity of training and skill development
* Planning and strategy

This highly energetic, professional presentation not only inspires and
motivates, it enthralls, moves and punches home the reality of personal commitment and survival in the corporate world.

It’s very different and humorous, and its straight-forwardness is invigorating. It will be talked about, recounted and remembered as a unique and fresh approach to business essentials with huge practical value.

PROFILE of QUINTON COETZEE

Quinton was born in the Namib Desert and, having spent most of his young life in the bush, he began his working career as a hunter. He later attained a university degree in the natural sciences after which he specialised in bush survival. Today he is considered one of the leading bushcraft specialists in southern Africa.

Quinton has always had a passion for expeditions. He has explored remote areas from the icy sub-Antarctic to the sweltering deserts of the Middle-East and has spent time with ‘vanishing’ tribes in Africa and in the Amazon jungles.

As a conservationist, he has managed the animal collection for one of the largest Zoological Gardens in Africa, where he was committed to the breeding of many endangered species worldwide. In this regard he is well known for his commentary in print, on air and on television as presenter of the popular South African wildlife programme “Veldfocus” on 50/50. He has
also trained as a classical pianist.

Quinton’s message has universal appeal which has been addressed to audiences worldwide.

For further information or to book your place, please RSVP to louisa@mantiscollection.com Please remember to mention WFUK when contacting them. Thank you.

TONIGHT - Rewilding: The Vision, Examples, Constraints and Benefits’

27 October ‘Rewilding: The Vision, Examples, Constraints and Benefits’
- Toby Aykroyd, Co-ordinator of the ‘Wild Britain’ initiative and trustee of the Wilderness Foundation; and Jonathan Spencer, Senior Ecologist, Forestry Commission

Toby Aykroyd and Jonathan Spencer both promote the concept of rewilding. They will jointly present the case for rewilding, but will review the established difficulties in achieving this.
Toby Aykroyd studied macroeconomics, geography and development economics at Cambridge University and has an MBA from the Cranfield Institute of Technology. He was initially posted to the UN Development Programme in Central America where he worked on agricultural and SME business projects. His career since has mainly included commercial management both in the private sector and under contract to government. He has been involved in farming and forestry enterprises, directed a political lobby group and co-founded the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative.

The Wild Britain Initiative which he coordinates seeks to promote the restoration of large-scale natural habitat areas across 2 million acres in the UK over the next 25 years: making use of economic, social and political as well as conservation opportunities. He is Co-Chairman of the Population & Sustainability Network and Vice-Chairman of the Wilderness Foundation.

http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/environment/ecssociety/ - Meeting at Extra-Mural Centre premises at 26 Russell Square or 32 Tavistock Square.

Umzi Wethu Training Academy for Displaced Youth in South Africa

The much anticipated Umzi Wethu (Xhosa for “our home”) Training Academy opened in Port Elizabeth, South Africa 20 April 2006.

This ground-breaking project has been developed over the past three years by the Wilderness Foundation South Africa (WFSA). WFSA has led a consultative process bringing together experts from a wide range of specialist areas to address the enormous issue of youth orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and devastated by poverty. Professionals in child clinical psychology, youth welfare, and education, and local community groups and game reserves came together to develop a program that will enable displaced youth to learn life and employment skills enabling them to participate in the growing ecotourism industry of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province.

The Eastern Cape is an area of very high biodiversity and great wildlife carrying capacity, and ecotourism is growing at a pace of 10% a year. Its 29 parks and 20 private game reserves are generating jobs that on average pay twice minimum wage but demand skilled labor. However, the AIDS pandemic is having a big impact on Eastern Cape (EC) ecotourism potential. HIV/AIDS hits people in their most productive years of life. About 3% of the EC Parks Board staff is lost each year to HIV/AIDS. In the hospitality industry as a whole, it is estimated that 24% of staff are HIV-positive – the highest ratio in an industry, next to mining. Yet to date the tourism and hospitality industry has not collectively addressed the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Umzi Wethu will provide the certified vocational training and learnerships (internships) that qualify AIDS orphans and vulnerable youth for guaranteed jobs in private game reserves and parks, secured by WFSA partnerships.

The Eastern Cape Premier, Nosimo Balindlela, has recognized the unique contribution of this program and has become its official patron. She opened the skills centre and residential academy with a moving speech, describing Umzi Wethu as a “visionaryproject which will use our natural resources in a sustainable way to help young peoplecope with the way HIV and AIDS has affected their lives.” This underscored the WFSA belief that experiences in wild places have the power to transform and that theresponsibility for the future of our environment rests with the youth of today.

The launch reception was held at the newly renovated Umzi Wethu building. It was attended by:

· Nomsa Jajula, Provincial Minister of Health for the Eastern Cape, and Christian Martin, Provincial Minister of Public Works for the Eastern Cape. Both expressed an interest in working with the Umzi Wethu project moving forward.

· Ubuntu Education Fund, a township based community organization helping to select and counsel the Umzi Wethu youth.

· Africa Global Skills Academy, a firm designing the Umzi Wethu course that will ensure that all youth acquire three National Qualifications Framework (NQF) certificates during the program, and also receive some of the life skills training so essential for the adjustment necessary to undertake full time employment.

· Local game reserves committed to employing the trained youth.

· The Eastern Province Youth and Child Care Centre that helped WFSA secure the Umzi Wethu facilities and advised WFSA on youth care and social welfare issues.

· The Black Managers Forum, a network of successful business people expressing interest in participating in the mentoring program for Umzi Wethu participants.

· Contributors to the project including architects, advisors, private funders, potential sponsors, local businesses and other organisations who are keen to be involved with the Umzi Wethu project. As a result of the launch, funding was received from Volkswagen South Africa to outfit the residential academy with furniture, and WFSA continues to seek local and international donor support.

· WFSA board members from the United States and United Kingdom, as well as South Africa.

Timing of the event allowed 9 of the 15 youth selected for the first program phase to participate in the launch activities, experiencing their first opportunities as hosts. Dressed in matching Umzi Wethu t-shirts and trousers, they looked like any ordinary teenagers, hiding the fact that all have led very tragic lives, losing their families to the scourge of AIDS and growing up in town-ships with no hope or opportunity to realise their dreams.

Many of the speakers on opening day addressed the Umzi Wethu youth personally during speeches, charging them with added determination to succeed in their new career paths. The students were fired up about the facilities and services that were to be provided for them and expressed a keen desire to make the most of the opportunity that Umzi Wethu will bring. They shared their excitement about being able to financially provide for their extended families once employed in the promised secure job in an EC park or game reserve.

A reception with food and drink was then held in the newly renovated residential academy which will eventually be a home base for about 36 youth. The first intake of students is now settled into the new residential academy and undertaking their initial training courses. Within days of starting the program, for the first time in their lives, the students are beginning to dream about real possibilities.

Changing lives…for a better future through conservation.

Read more about the project here - If you're based in the UK and would like to support the project, get in touch - 08081786931