SEPTEMBER is an important month both in South Africa, where it is Heritage Month with Heritage Day being celebrated today, as well as globally with World Rhino Day which was celebrated on the 22nd.
Both of these celebrations resonate with One Land Love It (OLLI) because they underscore the message of ordinary people being intentional in caring about conservation before it is too late.
This Heritage Month, One Land Love It is tackling their annual global, virtual movement in support of rhinos, the #OLLIMove, which started on World Rhino Day.
As Wayne Bolton, founder of OLLI says, “Extinction cannot be our legacy.
“The rhino represents the tipping point. If we cannot stop the poaching of our rhino, how will we stop the same with the many species also facing extinction and the relentless pillaging of our natural heritage? We have to ask ourselves: What can I do to contribute to the sustainability of my environment and move from caring to doing?”
Lockdown presented OLLI, a non-profit organisation, with a new challenge: how to move from caring to doing in this new normal. As they were unable to visit schools and parks, or interact with people, they set about considering what they had in their hands that could make a difference in line with their conservation goals.
Bolton met with rangers via Zoom and later in person to motivate them to press through in difficult times. He related lessons he had learnt while cycling his epic 80 day, 6 000km mountain bike ride around SA.
During this week, from September 22nd to 29th, people across the world are invited to show that they not only care but are prepared to be “Movers”.
Nourishing tummies – nourishing minds
Team OLLI will be “Moving” with a new initiative in collaboration with Addo Elephant National Park – “Nourishing Tummies – Nourishing Minds”. Over the last few months the OLLI Team has been preparing OLLI Conservation Community Care Packs, an outreach for around 2 600 children in a community bordering on the park.
Besides the support packs, the children will be educated on the importance of conservation and encouraged to consider what they have in their hands that will make a difference in the world today.
How to support One Land Love It
We all have the capacity to facilitate change and by taking this simple step you demonstrate your willingness to join others and add your voice through action in support of our rhinos. Simply register on the OLLIMove website (www.move.oneland.co.za) or join the OLLI Move Club (on the free Strava App). Sharing pictures on social media and tagging ‘One Land Love It’ will also show your collaboration.
- One Land Love It NPC uses funds raised through donations to further the fight against wildlife crime. To donate or find out more, visit www.move.oneland.co.za
