CONSERVATION EFFORTS REWARDED AT 2025 CONSERVATION AT WORK SYMPOSIUM
The 2025 Cape Fox Awards, presented at the Conservation at Work Symposium, serve as a powerful testament to the invaluable private and public efforts that are shaping South Africa’s conservation landscape.
This year’s winners exemplify the dedication required to conserve some of the most threatened ecosystems in the Western Cape, an area recognised globally for its extraordinary levels of biodiversity and endemism.
The Cape Fox Conservation Hero Award went to Evelina Pretorius of Jobs for Carbon, whose inspiring journey began in 2015 as one of the first unemployed community members in Van Wyksdorp to join the programme. Today, she leads erosion control projects, supervising up to sixty-two employees. Her team has already rehabilitated 139 hectares of degraded land, including 74.66 hectares in 2025 alone. Evelina’s leadership, marked by gratitude, resilience, and the ability to motivate others, has not only restored landscapes but also created livelihoods.
André Britz and Evelina Pretorius from Jobs 4 Carbon NPC
The Cape Fox Effective Management Award was awarded to Jeanne van Tonder of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy (WBFC). In just one year as conservancy manager, Jeanne has driven impressive gains in alien clearing, increased membership, and expanded protected areas. By combining science, collaboration, and community engagement, she is helping secure one of South Africa’s most threatened landscapes for future generations.
From Left to right: Mike Fabricius (C@W), Jeanne van Tonder (WBFC), and Chris Martens (The Fynbos Trust)
The Cape Fox Landscape Legacy Award went to Michael Raimondo of the Wilderness Nature Reserve. Best known as a filmmaker who has told some of South Africa’s most compelling conservation stories, Michael has also personally established a 615-hectare Critical Biodiversity Area that connects with the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. Through partnerships, he has overseen the clearing of 126 hectares of invasive alien vegetation and spearheaded bold initiatives like Helihack, which uses helicopters and volunteers to remove pines from inaccessible mountain peaks. His work has created a lasting ecological legacy in the Western Cape.
From left to right: Michael Fabricius, Michale Raimondo and Christ Martens
The Mossie Basson Conservation Legend Award was presented to Chris Martens of the Fynbos Trust, recognising his profound and lifelong contributions to conservation. Over nearly four decades, Chris has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s conservation sector, not only through managing critical catchments and reserves such as the KZN Drakensberg, Cedarberg, De Hoop, and Dyer Island, but also by establishing pioneering stewardship programmes and conservancies.
As a mentor, leader, and advocate, Chris continues to share his vast knowledge, believing firmly that skills and awareness are the most powerful tools to change behaviours and safeguard the environment. Today, as CEO of the Fynbos Trust, he remains at the forefront of landscape-level conservation in the Overberg district, guiding landowners and communities in shaping a sustainable environmental future.
Chris Martens receiving the Mossie Basson Legend awarded by Michael Fabricius chair of Conservation at Work
Beyond Awards: Charting the Future of Conservation
Hosted by Conservation at Work, a nonprofit organisation that supports private landowners in conserving biodiversity in the Western Cape, the Symposium was not only a celebration but also a forum for urgent dialogue. Experts from CapeNature, Conservation Outcomes and other industry leaders shared insights on biodiversity stewardship, from the UN’s global 30×30 targets to wetland restoration and the threats of invasive species and climate change.
With the Western Cape recognised as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, and with much of its remaining natural land privately owned, the conservation work of landowners and conservancies is critical. Conservancies act as vital links in the conservation chain, connecting mountain catchments, rivers, farmlands, and coastlines into ecological corridors that sustain biodiversity.
Powered by Partnership
The work of Conservation at Work is underpinned by collaboration. As a membership-driven organisation, it provides private landowners with knowledge sharing, guidance, and support on best practices in conservation management. None of this would be possible without the backing of The Table Mountain Fund, whose funding enables the organisation to build stronger conservancies, support stewardship initiatives, and amplify conservation impact across the province.
A Call to Action
The 2025 Cape Fox Awards highlighted the power of individual commitment, collective effort, and innovative partnerships to tackle the urgent biodiversity challenges of our time. From community-led restoration projects to landscape-scale corridors, these initiatives prove that conservation on private land is essential to securing South Africa’s natural heritage.
As the symposium concluded, one message rang clear: collaboration and connection remain at the heart of protecting South Africa’s biodiversity—from catchments to coast.
The symposium and awards were made possible with the generous support of The Table Mountain Fund, and The Fynbos Trust.
