Lessons in Conservation

Join us at Patagonia Cape Town for an inspiring evening with Lessons in Conservation (LiC), a youth-led non-profit reimagining environmental education across Africa.

Operating in 11 African countries and reaching more than 8,000 learners each year, LiC believes that meaningful conservation begins by helping young people build genuine connections with the natural world. Through outdoor experiences, hands-on learning and community engagement, the organisation is empowering a new generation to understand, protect and advocate for the environments around them.

Throughout the evening, founder Dean Carlisle and Education Manager Mikaela Tuck will share the story behind LiC, the challenges facing environmental education across the continent, and how their work is creating lasting impact through innovative, evidence-based approaches.

• The story of Lessons in Conservation and how it has grown across Africa.
• The challenges facing environmental education, particularly in communities living alongside wildlife.
• Why Indigenous Knowledge, local perspectives and place-based learning are essential for meaningful conservation.
• How action-based learning, creativity and learner-led experiences help young people become confident environmental advocates.
• LiC's student journey and the long-term impact of its programmes.
• Ways individuals, educators and communities can support environmental education and get involved.
  

The presentation will include a short film showcasing LiC's work, followed by an open Q&A with Dean and Mikaela.

Dean Carlisle is the Founder and CEO of Lessons in Conservation. Born into the world of conservation and trained as a zoologist, Dean combines scientific knowledge with practical experience to inspire people to care for and protect the natural world. Through LiC, he has helped develop an environmental education model that equips young people across Africa with the knowledge, confidence and skills to become future conservation leaders.

Mikaela Tuck is a wildlife biologist and conservation educator completing her MSc in Wildlife Health, Ecology and Management at Onderstepoort. Her research explores how Indigenous Knowledge, storytelling, teacher training, and monitoring and evaluation can strengthen conservation education in Southern Africa. As Education Manager at LiC, Mikaela develops learning experiences that make conservation science accessible, relevant and empowering, with a particular focus on participatory, Africa-centred approaches that encourage critical thinking and action.