Through a partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Nissan supports conservation in South Africa
Protecting our world has become increasingly important as climate change and pollution threaten the environment. Global efforts, like Earth Hour in March, demonstrate the need for collective action. At Nissan, we see the crucial role we must continue to play.
The Nissan team in South Africa has for the last three years had the privilege of supporting the Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Soutpansberg Protected Area in Limpopo, located in the North of South Africa. Expansive and unique with its diverse habitat and wildlife, only a very low percentage of the area is formally conserved.
To support EWT's efforts, Nissan South Africa donated an NP300 Double Cab pickup that's been central to the team's conservation efforts and helped support the surrounding communities.
In their new Nissan, rangers seamlessly move across the park and perform duties with relative ease – like patrolling to curb poaching, and removing invasive plants from the Medike Reserve's Sand River. This work is critical because it cleans up the river catchment, a National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area-classified river.
The rangers play an incredibly important role at the conservancy by ensuring that habitats and species are protected and preserved. In turn, through their work, the rangers support their families and build reputable careers.
Beyond transporting the rangers, the NP300 has helped the team move firewood and hand washing stations following the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Rangers have also transported books and other items for a creche to neighbouring communities and schools, demonstrating the versatility of the pickup for both commercial and passenger use.
It's not widely known, but indigenous plants are culturally significant and medicinally useful for people in Southern Africa. Due to high demand, loss of habitat and other human pressures, many medicinal plant species are under pressure, with species such as the Pepperbark tree now classified as endangered. The EWT team have encouraged suppliers outside the SPA to cultivate the species. The Nissan Hardbody was used to carry saplings to the traditional health practitioners, easing pressure on local supply.
Anchored by the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (in particular goal number 15, "Life on Land"), and through the 2022 Environmental Social and Governance strategy, Nissan remains committed to keeping communities clean, safe and protected. Nissan's collaboration with the EWT is a great example of how sustainable change can be built by meeting the goals of our communities without undermining the environment.