By Rachel Cox
Natures Valley Trust truly changed my life. In just five weeks, I gained memories I’ll never forget and lessons that will stay with me forever. Although my time there was short, the experiences I had and the people I met made it one of the most meaningful chapters of my journey so far.
I joined the internship during my university holidays from Stellenbosch University, where I study Conservation Ecology, and what could have been just another break quickly turned into a holiday filled with both hard work and endless fun.
Most of my time was spent working alongside the forest manager, focusing on the beautiful Strelitzia alba. My project was all about trying to understand what pollinates them and exploring their seed dispersal mechanisms. This meant hours of sitting quietly among the trees and learning to embrace the rhythm of the forest.
But one of the best parts of NVT is that you’re not limited to one focus. I was encouraged to get involved in every corner of conservation. I joined otter tracking excursions, did the beautiful hike to clean the fisherman bins, completed QWAC surveys from kayaks along the estuary, monitored vegetation in the forest, and even helped with whale watching. On top of that, I assisted with surveys for a skills centre in Kurland and later helped analyse the results, giving me valuable experience in community-focused conservation work.
Of course, it wasn’t all work, there was plenty of fun too. From many many trips to Nature’s Way, to braais under the stars, runs along the coast ending in an ocean cold plunge, to long card games with people who quickly became close friends, every day was filled with laughter and connection. The NVT community is unique, a group of like-minded, passionate people from all over the world, united by a love for nature and conservation. Nature’s Valley itself now holds a very special place in my heart. The scenery feels like something out of a dream, and when combined with the warmth of the people, it becomes a place that’s impossible to forget.
Looking back, this internship didn’t just teach me practical skills, it solidified that this is the path I want to pursue. It opened my eyes to opportunities in conservation I hadn’t even considered and gave me the confidence to continue studying and chasing this passion.