What is a Conservation Champion?
Through a voluntary membership model, WWF works with the environmental stewards of South Africa's wine industry, known as Conservation Champions! These landowners commit to biodiversity-friendly farming practices, preserve their natural habitats and continuously improve their water and energy efficiency. WWF supports these farms in their environmental efforts by co-developing detailed environmental management plans, setting specific targets and helping them prioritise actions to address their most pressing environmental risks. WWF's work also supports the South African wine industry's existing environmental certification scheme, which in turn is jointly marketed through industry organisations. In return, the Conservation Champions can use the distinctive Sugarbird Protea logo on their wine bottles, so consumers can make an informed decision to support the environmental friends! We do not have some of the Conservation Champions in our range: Cavalli, Glenwood, Hasher, Kloovenburg, Koelfontain, Lourensford, Merwida, Mooiplaas, Oak Valley, Paardenkloof, Schalkenbosch, Tierhoek Organic, Uitkyk Estate, Waverley, Wildekrans.
A win-win situation for all
This unique partnership has raised awareness of natural biodiversity and triggered a behavioural shift towards more sustainable farming practices in South Africa's wine growing regions. Over 90% of South Africa's wine industry has integrated environmentally friendly farming practices into their business, as outlined in the Sustainable Wines South Africa integrity and sustainability label. The South African wine industry has been internationally recognised as a leader in the global wine sector for demonstrating the balance between nature and agriculture. Despite experiencing the worst drought in decades and an ever-changing climate, many Conservation Champion farms have implemented and continue to maintain sustainable farming practices. These landowners are committed to biodiversity-friendly farming practices, conserving their natural habitats and continuously improving their water and energy efficiency.
WWF in South Africa
In 1968, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (then President of the World Wildlife Fund) approached Dr Anton Rupert, a successful South African businessman and conservationist, to become involved in the conservation of South Africa's wildlife and nature. Rupert was supported by a group of local businessmen who soon realised that something had to be done quickly to preserve South Africa's biodiversity, its plants, animals and ecosystems. In 1968, the Southern African Wildlife Foundation was founded, which later became the Southern African Nature Foundation and was renamed WWF South Africa in 1995. Since its foundation, WWF has been dedicated to the protection of South Africa's natural heritage. This includes plant and animal species, as well as humans. In 2018, WWF South Africa celebrated 50 years of successful environmental protection.
How do you become a Conservation Champion?
It's always about the CO2 footprint that you leave behind as a person or as a wine farm. How much electricity, water, energy or fuel you use. The farm signs an environmental management plan, including farm maps, which are developed jointly by the WWF team and the landowner. Detailed targets are set to encourage continuous improvement in environmental performance and are monitored and reviewed annually.
