We rely on the natural world not only for food, but also fuel, medicine, housing and more. But in order to keep using and enjoying nature’s gifts we have a responsibility to ensure that ecosystems are healthy so that the plant and animal life within can thrive. Doing so in a sustainable way is how we ensure future generations will also reap the benefits.
“Many of us aren’t close to nature – in the expanded sense – on a regular basis so it may seem difficult or even irrelevant to worry about thriving ecosystems. But we have a responsibility to ensure our actions don’t negatively impact the environment or disturb the very delicate balance ecosystems need to maintain for all humans to survive,” shares Miguel Farinha, Hotel Manager of Kruger Gate Hotel.
Consider that all actions have a reaction and that we’re all part of a larger natural ecosystem and it becomes more apparent how our actions affect our environment.
Reduce, reuse and recycle
The less we consume the less pressure we put on our environment, simple as that. This includes everything from taking shorter showers to using less water and switching off lights and appliances that are not in use, to wearing your clothing for more than a season, going meat-free one day a week (start with Meat Free Mondays) and opting to drive less and walk more, if possible. “The point is just to be mindful of how we use resources and to remember that it all has to come from somewhere and it also has to end up somewhere. Even a small action like thinking twice about bottled water or taking a reusable shopping bag to the supermarket has a cumulative impact in the long run,” Farinha says.
Donate – time or money
Fortunately there are many organisations across the country working to protect our wildlife and their environment, but these organisations always need extra support. Consider volunteering with an organisation that supports a cause that is close to your heart or donating money if you’re in a position to. These organisations often have to find innovative ways to keep going and may run a charity shop, in which case they would welcome donations of pre-loved clothing or household items, for example. By supporting the organisations dedicated to supporting our wildlife we’re helping them to be able to do more, which ultimately benefits us all.
Be a visible and vocal advocate and activist
You don’t need to be near a wetland or the magnificent Kruger National Park on a daily basis to support its wellbeing, you simply need to speak up and advocate for it . “Use the tools, channels and platforms at your disposal to advocate for the rhinos, the vultures, access to water or whatever cause you feel strongest about. Awareness is a key part of conservation and maintaining the delicate balance in our natural ecosystems, and speaking up – whether by signing a petition or sharing a relevant post on social media helps to add another voice to the cause,” says Farinha.
The Black Rhino, for example, is critically endangered and the constant target of sophisticated poaching syndicates. “The more we speak up about this problem, the more awareness it creates and the more support conservation efforts receive, the better chance we have of protecting these majestic animals. The rhinos also benefit when more people visit Kruger National Park, as the conservation fees levied also go towards efforts to protect them, ultimately creating a safe haven for these creatures,” Farinha explains.
Go on holiday!
Protecting an ecosystem and experiencing it needn’t be mutually exclusive. Going on holiday to places like Kruger National Park, for example, actually serves to boost efforts to care for and protect the area. Tourism can be a catalyst for protecting the natural environment as the attraction that draws tourists and brings much-need money into the area.
Choose from a vast variety of places to stay in Kruger National Park, or consider an African safari package but make sure to Kruger National Park as a bucket list experience does not go unticked.
Educate yourself
Making an effort to understand the importance of a healthy, thriving ecosystem, of how the wellbeing of the environment and everything within it impacts human life, of the importance of conservation and how the tourism sector plays an important role within that, is key to protecting wildlife specifically but also the earth in general.
Whether the rare birds of South Africa, or the animals found in Kruger National Park, start by embracing your own interests and learning more about how it finds into the wider ecosystem. “Knowledge is power, and the more we know about our natural world the better we understand the impact our small, everyday actions have on it, and the more effectively we can play our part in protecting wildlife,” Farinha says.