The Wilderness Foundation

A conservation and leadership non-profit organisation that encourages, plans and manages wild lands

The Wilderness Foundation encourages, plans and manages wild lands and wilderness, uplifts the knowledge and lives of historically disadvantaged citizens and stimulates an environmental ethos amongst current and future leaders.

The organisation was founded in 1972. It has pioneered many projects and initiatives aimed at demonstrating wilderness and wild lands as a positive, integral force in developing social and environmental sustainability in South Africa.

Forever Wild - Rhino Protection Initiative

Concerned with maintaining populations of free ranging rhino within state and private conservation areas

The Wilderness Foundation's Forever Wild - Rhino Protection Initiative, which was launched in May 2011, is concerned with maintaining populations of free ranging rhino within state and privately managed conservation areas.

Conservation agencies are supported in the protection of their rhino populations. The Foundation believes that without the intervention of government and the public, the rhino may be extinct in the next ten years.

The Wilderness Leadership School (WLS)

The WLS offers learning opportunities through experiential education

The Wilderness Leadership School (WLS) is a non-profit organisation which falls under the management of the Wilderness Foundation, and is part of the Foundation's experiential education programme.

The school fits in well with the Wilderness Foundation's vision to protect and sustain African wilderness and wildlands through integrated conservation and education programmes.

Schools and Children

"We cannot be the generation that is responsible for the extinction of the rhino. It is simply not an option!"

Children and schools are becoming aware of the plight of the rhinos and are taking the initiative to raise funds and create awareness in support of efforts to avoid the extinction of the rhino.

Early in 2013, Pecanwood Pre-School decided to take up the cause of Anti- Rhino Poaching as their Outreach project for the year. The teachers introduced the theme to the children via special lessons, introducing the rhino as a very special animal, initially describing its' special characteristics and then going on to explain the current demise of the rhino and what this means for the future.

Makanyane Volunteers

We support the Board in its conservation of wild plants, animals and landscapes for the benefit of the people...

Our mission is to help the Northwest Park and Tourism Board in its conservation of wild plants, animals and landscapes for the benefit of the people who have interest in the environment and wildlife and appreciate more the "wide open spaces".

Work Parties are a way in which our volunteers interact with the environment on a more personal note. Our Work Party weekends are held once a month in Pilanesberg - a fun way to spend a weekend out in the bushveld. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors, loads of laughs, practical DIY work and who has an appreciation of nature would certainly want to come along!

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Honorary Officers Association

Our primary aim and objective is to support North West Parks and Tourism Board

Honorary Officers Association supports the Board in its conservation efforts and, in particular, to assist them by providing Honorary Officers to operate under their jurisdiction in their Parks and Game Reserves.

Duties at Pilanesberg include visitor management, very important species monitoring, counter poaching assistance and extended patrols.

Friends of Pilanesberg Society (FOPS)

FOPS is a non-profit organisation that works in conjunction with the North West Parks & Tourism Board

FOPS supports the North West Parks Board with conservation of the natural areas of the province. Once a project has been agreed on by the Board and the FOPS committee, the society attempts to obtain funding through sponsorships.

The main aim of the Society is the conservation of the habitat, fauna and flora of the Pilanesberg National Park and in any other area that the committee deems fit.