The West Coastal National Park (WCNP) has a brand-new park manager, just in time for this year’s flower season.
Charlene Adams began her new South African National Parks (SANParks) portfolio on 1 July.
The organisation stated that she is committed to ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of WCNP.
The appointment of Adams, from Mamre, is seen as a homecoming; she’s back in the very area where she grew up.
She regards the WCNP as not just a workplace but a home where fond memories of a childhood exploring the park are evoked.
Adams holds a degree in development and the environment from Stellenbosch University and has worked in the conservation sector for 17 years, a decade of which was spent at SANParks.
Her experience encompasses both government and international conservation.
Adams has served as the site coordinator at the City of Cape Town, its Nature Conservation branch in Mamre and has worked as Community Conservation Officer at CapeNature in 2010.
She joined SANParks in December 2012 as Senior People and Conservation Officer, focusing on local community liaison and environmental education in and around the West Coast National Park itself.
In 2016 Adams was then appointed Regional People and Conservation Manager of the Arid Region, overseeing Augrabies Falls, Kgalagadi, Mokala, Meerkat, Namakwa and Richtersveld National Parks, based in Upington.
In 2022, due to family matters, she temporarily left the organisation. However, her passion for conservation remained, and she worked at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as Community Conservation Coordinator for the Northern Cape and Western Cape’s Succulent Karoo Biome.
As newly appointed Park Manager of WCNP, Adams emphasises the importance of engaging with various stakeholders and communities to address their needs while fulfilling the core mandate of biodiversity conservation.
She acknowledged the park’s sustainability relied on delivering benefits to the people and garnering support from stakeholders.
Adams was aware of the West Coast community’s passion for its local park and sees big opportunities when efforts are combined.
Johan Taljaard, SANParks Cape Region’s Regional General Manager, wished Adams very well in her new portfolio.
He said he was confident her extensive knowledge and experience in environmental management as well as her expertise in community and public relationships would serve SANParks, and especially the West Coast region, exceptionally well in future.
