SANParks' head of communications, Paul Daphne, said the Kudu Awards are becoming one of the best conservation awards programmes in the country in which a lot of companies, individuals as well as community groups enter to showcase their work around environment and conservation of natural resources.
He said in a world threatened by a change in climate patterns it is important that corporates, individuals or groups are able to show what they are doing to be advocates for change in their operations all in the name of taking care of the environment we are living in.
The award is an initiative that aims to recognise external stakeholders for their contributions and efforts in making SANParks the custodian of choice for the national parks system in South Africa. "It aims at enhancing equitable and sustainable relationships with various external communities with a particular caring interest to the national parks of our country," said Daphne.
According to Daphne, entering the awards programme holds real, tangible benefits for entrants: "In addition to receiving a thorough summary of all comments by judges, whether positive or negative, finalists and winners receive widespread exposure which gives them a definite competitive edge to their peers, particularly around their passion for our parks and all have a need to be recognised as the best in the conservation of our biodiversity.
"It is for this reason that we need to celebrate these achievements by paying tribute to those who worked effortlessly in putting our parks on the forefront of conservation."
The awards will be made in five different categories. The first is the Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award. The second award category is the Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation. The third is Community Contribution to Conservation and the fourth category is the Environmental Education/Capacity Building award. The last category is the Website Community Choice award.
Entry forms can be obtained from Christinah Chauke on telephone +27 (0)12 426 5020 or e-mail gro.skrapnas@ekuahc.hanitsirhc. The award winners will be announced at a function scheduled to take place in Gauteng in October.
For more information, go to www.sanparks.org/events/kudu_awards.
