Children’s Conservation Stories

Children and nature conservation make perfect partners

I was sent these delightful books to review from the Jonny Lowe Memorial Trust. Created by the children of St Martins Pre-Primary, the books each tell a story about conservation as seen through the eyes of a child.

From rhino poaching to water pollution and soil erosion, the stories are relayed in the children’s unedited voices and heartwarmingly illustrated by them too. It’s interesting to see that they don’t shy away from talking about violence and death in the poaching stories, saying things like; ‘there are mean and bad and not good and selfish and dangerous and greedy people who poach rhinos’ and ‘The poachers came and they killed Mung-Mung’s mummy. They chopped off her horn.’

The books are good conversation starters, to talk about the questions children have, like why poachers want rhino horns and why conservation is important and how we can all play a part.

“We have to remember that young people will in a very short while be Africa’s policy makers, business people and leaders. If this next generation grows up passionate about the environment, strong conservation policies will follow.”

Dr Mark Ofua, Wildlife Veterinarian

The Jonny Lowe Memorial Trust

The Jonny Lowe Memorial Trust was founded in 2014 in memory of Lowe, who represented Pietermaritzburg at cricket and squash, and played hockey for South Africa from 1964 to 1971. Lowe’s passion for conservation and the environment led his family and friends to create a trust that would support and promote conservation among the youth.

The Trust’s goal is to engage youth in eco-conservation and it has raised funds for Project Rhino KZN, the Wildlands Conservation Trust, and more recently, has sent pupils from two local schools on trips into the bush in the hopes of creating and fostering a culture of conservation among the youth.

How to order the books

The set of educational booklets were compiled and illustrated by pre-primary students under teacher guidance and sets were given to disadvantaged schools. Other schools are charged R250 per set and they can be bought and sponsored to disadvantaged schools.

They are suitable for ages 4-8. The booklets can be printed 200 sets at a time. For more information contact the Jonny Lowe Memorial Trust here. Contact the school for book orders here.