The African Conservation Trust (A.C.T.) is a 12-year old, legally constituted non-profit organization with a growing reputation for its innovative efforts to conserve South Africa's natural resources, environment and heritage.

Based in KwaZulu-Natal and with a historical footprint of working throughout southern Africa, ACT's energetic, 21st century thinking and actions are protecting our planet and changing the way we live in it.  Please join us and be inspired!

ACT's major focus areas are endangered species, conservation agriculture, sustainable use of natural resources (water, land, energy, fauna & flora) and biodiversity preservation and expansion.  We also work extensively in the Heritage sector, using modern technology to preserve Africa's rich history and culture.

We cannot sustain or conserve southern Africa's natural resources nor alleviate the environmental crises we face without the participation of the very people affected; ACT always involves local communities and works in partnership with other stakeholders to implement projects that have a long-term impact.  Job creation, poverty alleviation, community sustainability and education are key principles of all ACT initiatives.

“ACT as if what you do makes a difference - it does.”  William James (American psychologist & philosopher)

ZAR36 million donor investment in 3 years

With the support of the NLDTF and other donors, ACT has successfully implemented 6 major projects in the past 3 years throughout KwaZulu-Natal.

Rehabilitating degraded areas, water conservation, providing eco-sustainable food security for 27,000 people, establishing a community biofuel project using indigenous fruit trees, the humble butterfly educating communities on how valuable our eco-systems are, waste recycling in urban communites, and conserving endangered species and natural resources: these are a few of ACT's successes since 2009. 

These projects have also provided green jobs and skills training for more than 330 people from poor communities, plus provided internships for over 50 graduate students from KZN's universities and technikons.

Conservation in the 21st Century

What does it mean to be a conservationist today?  How can new thinking solve the world's growing environmental crises?  What role does technology play in preserving endangered species and Africa's rich history? How do we stop the rhino poaching catastrophe? Can we respond to the looming global disaster of rising food costs and a dying planet?  What role can you play?

There is a new generation of conservation and environmental leaders in the world who are changing the way we care for the earth.

ACT's CEO Francois du Toit (aka 'The Hurricane') is one of them. They see things differently and aren't afraid to challenge the status-quo. Read Francois' wide-ranging and thought-provoking views on his bi-monthly blog.

ACTing to stop the rhino poaching crisis

We're doing our bit to counteract the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa.  We've teamed up with 14 other leading conservation agencies, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and private game reserves to form Project Rhino KZN.  

Plus, we're raising funds for SA's rhinos.  Our inaugural Skydive for Rhinos in 2011 saw 40 passionate people flying through the skies above KZN. 100% of the R500,000 raised went to beefing up bona-fide anti-poaching needs.

This year we're taking Skydive for Rhinos national. The goal is R10million and at least 448 people skydiving throughout South Africa (one for every rhino slaughtered in 2011). This exciting, year-long campaign has loads of other events that go beyond South Africa's borders.  Stay informed on the rhino poaching crisis and the Skydive for Rhinos 2012 campaign via our dedicated facebook page Skydive for Rhinos.

Want to jump out of a plane? Or show your support for SA's rhinos in other ways?  Email ACT's lead This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.  Or you can donate now: it's safe, easy and immediate.

We have a dream: no more hunger through Conservation Agriculture

South Africa is one of the most abundant, bio-diverse regions in the world. But, paradoxically, as its human habitation expands without forethought or consideration for the impact on natural resources, its ability to sustain life is fast diminishing.  Not just in the loss of unique species of fauna and flora, but in it's ability to sustain human life. 

This is why ACT is a driving force behind Conservation Agriculture.  We want people to work with nature, not against it.   

A Gigabyte of Gardeners...our dream is One Million poor families in the next 10 years becoming food secure AND helping protect our fragile eco-systems and environment.

We've also established the Institute of Conservation Agriculture at Dovehouse Organic farm in the KZN Midlands - one of the first facilities in southern Africa to provide accredited (NQF2) practical training in sustainable farming techniques.

For more information, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Preserving the past with 21st Century technology

It sounds like an oxymoron but it isn't. ACT is at the forefront of using modern technology to preserve Africa's ancient cultures and heritage.  We make history come alive for today's techno-savvy generation. 

ACT is one of the few NGOs in the world that has in-house expertise in exciting new 21st century advancements such as GIS mapping, 3D virtual reality, lazer scanning, aerial imagery and GPS.   

In partnership with the University of KZN, AMAFA and the Natal Museum, we're updating and digitising the records of all San Rock Art in the Drakensburg mountains and creating a 3D online digital archive of KZN's historic buildings. 

We also use this expertise to benefit other focus areas such as food security and rhino poaching and we are helping to re-map KZN's historic battlefields. 

We've also established CYARK South Africa, in partnership with CYARK, the world leader in digital preservation and sharing of the world's cultural heritage.

Biodiversity preservation and expansion

Biodiversity is everything we have: it is the variety of life,
Biodiversity provides clean water, food, medicine and fibre. 
Biodiversity regulates and mitigates our climate,
It protects us from natural disasters like floods, fires & erosion.
Biodiversity gives us places to stay and play,
It empowers us to cope with change.

It is the foundation for economic growth (jobs), social development (service delivery) and human wellbeing (a better life).

 The prosperity of South Africa is built upon biodiversity -
It is the power of natural solutions.
Biodiversity gives us freedom of choice - the only choice we have.

ACT is involved in preserving and expanding South Africa's biodiversity in innovative ways including using endangered indigneous butterflies as winged messengers to show the importance of conservation, educating children about the value of our pristine areas, helping communities generate sustainable income from natural resources such as marula oil, and creating community conservation areas in the Drakensberg and northern KwaZulu-Natal.