Jeanette’s early years were spent on a farm near Harburg and her schooling was in Wartburg KZN. Later training as a pre-primary school teacher and teaching in Cape Town and Durban. In the late 1980’s Jeanette started studying nature conservation and progressively integrated environmental awareness and the wonders of nature into her daily teaching routine which she soon discovered produced positive results from the children.
Moving back to KZN she became involved in leading trails and volunteered with a number of local conservation organisations. In 1995 she started working with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa at the Umgeni Valley Project, in Howick where she further her studies in environmental education and meeting and learning from many people who shared her passion for nature. Here, her scope grew to include practical conservation and hospitality.
A turning point to a dream she has always had was when she attended a Teachers Outdoor Workshop in Wyoming. Influenced by the high calibre and passion of the teachers on the course she decided, one day to share these and other experiences with others.
Over the years she has gained a broad knowledge base, gained vast experience, embraced opportunities and established an extensive professional network. As an extension of her knowledge of conservation she has included tourism guiding training as part of her portfolio.
Environmental Education and Conservation are diverse fields and in the years that she have been working with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa and UNISA she have gained a broad knowledge base, acquired vast experience, embraced opportunities and established an extensive professional network. Much of her time is now spent working with UNISA as a tutor, writer and marker.
She has had the privilege to be working with a number of other organisations such as UNISA, WESSA, Rhodes University, the SADC REEC (Southern African Developing Communities – Regional Environmental Education Centre) as well as Birdlife, KZN Wildlife, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Safari Club International, the American Wilderness Leadership School, the Wilderness Leadership School in South Africa, the Mondi Wetlands Project, UKZN, Sea World, Conservancies in KZN, Valley Trust, Drum Beat Academy, Lima Rural Development Foundation, Pietermaritzburg Botanical Society, Midlands Meander Education Project, Inkwazi Learning Network, HCI/Green Skills Academy, Southern African Forestry Contractors Association, Accredited Training Services, Careerlinx, The Unlimited Child, Emvelo Quality and Enivornmental Consultants, MSC Artisan Academy, local schools and writing for the Meander Chronicle.
Jeanette is keen meet people with whom to share and understand the daily delights of our environment. She is committed to developing in learners of every age a sense of wonder, joy, fun, inspiration and creativity. She encourages learning through practical activities in natural and cultural settings.