291-552-NPO
Conserve Eden is a small conservation-focused NPO based in Plettenberg Bay along the picturesque Garden Route of South Africa. We are a catalytic group of passionate individuals who support various local research and conservation initiatives in addition to developing our own portfolio of projects. Watch this space. We will be adding content soon!
Who we are
Dr Mark Brown
Mark brings a wealth of expertise and passion to Conserve Eden as a leading figure in environmental conservation. With a distinguished background in ecology and sustainable development, Dr. Brown has dedicated his career to protecting and preserving our planet’s precious ecosystems. His innovative research and practical solutions have earned him recognition as a thought leader in the field. Committed to fostering partnerships and inspiring action, Dr. Brown is dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come through Conserve Eden’s impactful initiatives.
Kellyn Whitehead
Kellyn Whitehead is a dynamic force within Conserve Eden, leveraging her expertise and passion for conservation to drive meaningful change. Armed with a Master’s degree in Fynbos ecology, Kellyn possesses a deep understanding of the delicate balance within our ecosystems. Her hands-on experience in coordinating conservation programs and leading environmental education initiatives has made her a respected figure in the field. Kellyn’s commitment to fostering a deeper connection between people and nature fuels Conserve Eden’s mission, ensuring that our efforts are both impactful and sustainable.
Elton du Plooy
Elton du Plooy is a visionary leader at Conserve Eden, driven by a steadfast commitment to positively impacting our planet. With a proven track record of success in managing multiple businesses within the conservation sector, Elton brings invaluable expertise to our team. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication have propelled innovative solutions that marry environmental sustainability with economic viability. Fuelled by a profound passion for conservation, Elton’s leadership inspires action and fosters collaboration, driving Conserve Eden’s mission to protect and preserve our natural heritage for future generations.
What we do
Supporting local conservation initiatives
There are several great local conservation programs we support:
Plett Marine Animal Stranding Network
We provide a mechanism for stranding network members to raise funds to cover their operating costs. As volunteers who give their time, energy, and personal resources, the network plays a vital role in responding to, stabilizing, and transporting injured marine wildlife to rehabilitation centers and veterinary clinics. We also respond to strandings and rescues whenever possible, and currently manage the programs database.
Raptor Rescue
We provide research and conservation expertise to this incredible organization that makes a HUGE difference in raptor conservation in our area. We assess and ring all birds before they get released back into the wild and provide advice when required. We also act as responders, heading out on raptor rescues when needed.
Conducting our own research and conservation programs
We run a few long-term research programs in the area, including:
Bird ringing studies – we conduct mark-recapture ringing (banding) sessions on birds in the urban areas of Plett, in suitable Fynbos, and on coastal birds and raptors in the area.
Pollination ecology studies – we love figuring out pollination systems by studying the intricate links between plants and their avian pollinators.
Citizen science contributions
Our team contributes to various important national and international citizen science programs, collecting local data that feeds into global databases. This ensures we have good local spatial data available across a diverse range of taxa. We also train participants in Discover Eden’s field courses to become contributing citizen scientists. These are some of the projects we continually contribute to:
Integrated learning internships and studies
With several decades of experience in the tertiary education sector, our staff love passing this knowledge on! We partner with several international universities, hosting postgraduate students and interns who require field placements for their degrees. We have two options that students and faculty staff can use to partner with us:
Internship
Doing an internship with Conserve Eden is a very rewarding, practical, and life-changing experience! We offer a full internship experience for students needing to complete an internship as part of their studies or for recent graduates wanting to gain valuable field experience. We limit numbers to a few each year, so get in touch to see if we have space for you! Internships normally run for 3-6 months but are prepared on a case-by-case basis to ensure you get relevant experience for your resume or university needs. We arrange transport, accommodation, and a varied but dynamic work schedule for each week, working alongside some of the region’s top conservation and research specialists.
Postgraduate Studies
We can host MSc and PhD students needing field bases and local supervision. Our senior scientist has co-supervised over 40 postgraduate students’ projects and can assist in setting up and overseeing local projects under our banner. Get in touch today to explore this option!
Research publications from our team
Mark’s research papers can be viewed on his ResearchGate or Google Scholar profile.
Students we have worked with