People & Partners

Etienne Jacques Basson

Etienne Jacques Basson is a dedicated sustainability development practitioner with a commitment to creating positive change in marginalised, violent communities across the Western Cape province in South Africa He holds a BSc degree in Ecology from Stellenbosch University and a BSc Honours degree in Environmental Modelling from UNISA. He is passionate about driving impactful social and environmental change and has dedicated his career to developing and implementing robust programmes in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations and the provincial government.

Focussed on empowering marginalised communities for a sustainable future, Etienne is the founder of Envirolove and Idas Valley Community Trails, which are dedicated to advocating environmental stewardship and community ownership of natural resources in marginalised communities. The mission of these NGOs is to support the sustainable management of these resources, ensuring they yield environmental, economic, and social benefits for the communities we serve.

Etienne’s research centres on the transformative potential of nature-focused spaces as safe havens for children in violent communities. He investigates the profound impact of time spent in nature, intertwining outdoor education with children’s experiences while navigating challenging geographies. His research aims to bridge the gap between children’s perception of violent spaces and their journey in developing individual potential.

• Place-based education
• Environmental psychology
• Environmental and social justice