“Together we can get children back in nature, we can improve literacy, increase knowledge, spread the conservation message and ensure the long-term survival of leopards and their habitats.” ~ Chris Eksteen, Education & Outreach Manager, Cape Leopard Trust
The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) Environmental Education (EE) Project recently celebrated ten years of its innovative experiential education programme of activities, including wilderness camps, eco-clubs, day outings, holiday programmes and presentations. However, in March the EE team was forced to curtail all direct contact work as a result of lockdown restrictions, and had to adapt and rethink their teaching model.
E-learning became the order of the day and the newly created collection of CLT online lessons, career showcases and virtual hikes were positively received. The lockdown also presented an ideal opportunity to work on a longstanding dream – a dream of creating a children’s book that could double as a teaching resource in the EE programmes.
The book, called “Footprints in the Fynbos” (English version) and “Voetspore in die Fynbos” (Afrikaans translation) is a collaborative effort drawing on 16 years’ worth of CLT research, the writing art of children’s book author Liza M Roux and the engaging illustrations of Judy Maré.
On Thursday 29 October the dream culminated in the launch of the published book at an intimate event hosted by Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, Cederberg Wines and Regina Mundi Global Advisors. Attended by private, corporate and NGO partners, the evening included a screening of the CLT short film “For the Love of Leopards”, and a special book reading in the garden’s amphitheatre.
The launch also officially opened an exhibition of junior art pieces submitted to the CLT annual youth art competition over the past years. The display, entitled “Leopards of the Cape – Surviving against all Odds”, will be in residence at the garden until 14 November 2020. The art pieces will be available for sale (but cannot be removed from the exhibition until after the 14th).
“It’s important that our education work can inspire and nurture a new generation of African conservationists who understand why we need to protect leopards in the Cape for the benefit of nature and society”. ~ Helen Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer, Cape Leopard Trust
More about the book
The book consists of three sections – a leopard-focused story, a facts section and activity pages. Set in the Cape Mountains, the story follows Leeto the leopard on his journey to find a friend, meeting many characters along the way and learning valuable life lessons. The second part of the book is a selection of easily digestible facts, while the final section includes fun activities for young and old.
The goal was to offer an accessible and entertaining activity book aimed at participants between the ages of 7-14, introducing them to leopards and the CLT, explaining the importance of conservation and encouraging youngsters to take interest and pride in their natural environment.
The book has been developed in engaging fun-to-read and easy-to-follow prose. Rather than being presented didactically, the learning outcomes are approached in a playful, interactive manner. The educational teaching and learning resources contained in the book are aligned with the South African school curriculum, and the book is written in a dyslexic-friendly font with weighted characters.
Future vision for the book
To increase awareness and broaden its impact CLT is working with partners on an isiXhosa translation, as well as a South African sign-language interpretation of the story, and an audiobook in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa to aid teachings to hearing- and visually impaired learners.
The Cape Leopard Trust www.capeleopard.org.za www.facebook.com/capeleopard | www.instagram.com/capeleopardtrust | www.twitter.com/cape_leopard
Book distribution
The book was originally intended as a teaching tool for the CLT EE programme, but it quickly became evident that there was a wider need for this kind of resource. It was decided to also offer the book for sale and so far, the response has been overwhelming. Each book sold enables CLT to gift another book to an underprivileged child in South Africa, many of whom have never had a book to call their own. One of CLT’s longstanding partners, Regina Mundi Global Advisers, has already agreed to sponsor 150 books to under-resourced schools in CLT’s study areas!
Book availability
~ Footprints in the Fynbos / Voetspore in die Fynbos is available for sale at the CLT online shop at a cost of R160 (excluding shipping).
From November 1st the book will also be available from a number of external stockists listed on www.capeleopard.org.za.
We encourage everyone to buy a book to enable CLT to gift a book.
~ CLT’s vision to make the book available to isiXhosa as well as visually challenged and hearing-impaired learners still requires major funding.
If you can help, please contact Chris Eksteen at education@capeleopard.org.za
~ On Saturday 14 November at 3pm, the Cape Leopard Trust will host a book reading at the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. Old and young are welcome to join in. All visits to the garden are by appointment only and entry for children is free.
Bookings can be made by contacting info@dylanart.co.za
