South African National Parks has announced that entries for this year’s Kudu Awards are now open.

The event, which is organised by SANParks in partnership with First National Bank, aims to recognise external stakeholders for their contributions and efforts in making SANParks the custodian of choice for the national parks system in South Africa.

SANParks, Acting Head of Communications, Paul Daphne, says: “It aims to enhance equitable and sustainable relationships with various external communities with a particular caring interest to the national parks of our country.”
 
Entry to the award programme is voluntary and entrants’ projects are scrutinised by a panel of judges.

Daphne says entering the programme holds real, tangible benefits for entrants. “In addition to receiving a thorough summary of all comments by judges, whether positive or negative, finalists and winners receive widespread exposure, which gives them a definite competitive edge on their peers, particularly around their passion for our parks.”

The awards will be made in four different categories:

•    Corporate Contribution to Conservation.
•     Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation.
•    Community Contribution to Conservation.
•    Environmental Education/Capacity-building.
Final entries must be submitted by July 17. The winners will be announced at a function in the Free State in November.

For more information, visit www.sanparks.org/events/kudu_awards