The Klipkop Conservancy was thrilled to take out the EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust) Best Biodiversity Conservation Practice Award 2009, presented yesterday at the Gauteng Conservancy Association's (GCA) Annual General Meeting.

Klipkop also earned a Silver award in the Wetlands category.

Each year, conservancies from around Gauteng compete for the Meerkat, EWT Biodiversity Conservation Practice and Wetlands awards.

Participating conservancies complete a detailed application, responding to a range of questions regarding conservation projects and practices, environmental management plans, public awareness programmes and partnerships.

The competition is typically fierce, so both Hugh Patrickson (Warden, Klipkop) and Tony Prince (Manager, Volunteer Programme), were especially delighted to be able to bring home a rather fine, hand-crafted cheetah trophy (pictured), with Klipkop's name inscribed on the base.

The EWT sponsored Best Biodiversity Practice trophy is ours to keep for the year.

Congratulations go to Cullinan Conservancy, who collected the Meerkat Award (Best General Conservancy), and Elandsvlei Conservancy who took 1st-place in the Wetlands category.

Klipkop hopes to be back again next year to defend its title.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust was established in 1973 and is registered as a non-profit organisation. It is dedicated to conserving threatened species and ecosystems in southern Africa to the benefit of all people. For further information, visit http://www.ewt.org.za.