Liezl Kok
Liezl is a specialist catalyst in the field of sustainable biodiversity conservation and the design, development, implementation and adaptive management of projects and programmes through collaborative research. Her catalytic approach brings together the needs of organisations and communities or beneficiaries and the associated funders into a sustainable project.
Liezl believes that the sustainability of the challenges presented to her is crucial and as such her research includes value added components that allows for a derived income and future sustainability of the project to the beneficiary community.
Liezl has operates successfully within the NGO / Trust space since 2010 and is present is the CEO of Nobantu Charity Trust with an emphasis on community upliftment and education, The Biodiversity Trust with an emphasis on rare, threatened, and endangered species with an emphasis on conservation and the associated biomes and communities.
“Do not dictate, create, and implement a project that you think is needed within a community as that will become a monument to failure. Research the subject and determine the beneficiaries and they will tell you what is needed. In that way you have buy-in and a sustainable and successful project!”
Liezl Kok, 2021
Tim Neary
Conservationist, film maker, photographer, and radio presenter hailing from the Eastern Cape. Tim has been working in the field of conservation for over 47 years and humbly refers to his work as “Conservation through the Lense and Microphone”. His conservation efforts started 47 years ago with a variety of different species of Fauna and Flora. He is known to academia for his contributions to research, his objective viewpoints, and practical implementations.
Tim’s voice is familiar to people across South African and International airways with his nature programme that is broadcasted to community and commercial radio stations and has been the longest running programme on Radio 702. His filming of wildlife for 50/50, BBC and National Geographic has captured audiences worldwide.
Tim has been recognised by his peers and has won numerous awards from Sanparks, Wessa and Bird Life SA to name a few for his work in conservation. Tim is seen as an expert in conservation and his expertise has been used in legal matters and legislation.
Tim’s has consulted to Sappi for over 30 years in the fields of biodiversity, rare species projects and community development and presently runs the Sappi Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Stewardship projects. He believes in leaving behind a living legacy through his efforts in reestablishing rare, threatened, and endangered fauna and flora species throughout Southern African.
Tim serves on advisory boards, is a patron of conservancies and consults corporate South Africa on conservation and biodiversity matters.
