The Youth Environmental School (YES) programme focuses on five major commemorative environmental weeks and four special days during the year:

February

World Wetlands Week (First week of February)
Wetlands and estuaries are an important ecological component of the city, to cleanse rivers and they also harbour an assortment of specially adapted plants and animals.

May

Biodiversity Week (Third week of May)
The biodiversity of plants in Cape Town is one of the richest found in such a small area of the world. But Cape Town also has the unfortunate distinction of being the city with the highest number of threatened plant species in the world.

June

World Environment Day (5 June)
World Environment Day is commemorated each year on 5 June. Visit the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) website for more on the theme and the many activities around the world.

August

Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Week (Second week of August)
Receive an informative presentation on the biggest environmental threat facing our planet - global warming and climate change.

September

Tourism and Heritage Week (Second week of September)
Information on the importance of tourism and tourist attractions in Cape Town. A visit to the Tourist Information Centre at the Cape Town Tourism offices in Burg Street is a good starting point. One of the City of Cape Town’s declared dignified spaces can also be visited (heritage).

International Coastal Clean-up Day (Third Saturday in September)
Participate in a beach clean-up at one of the city's beaches, to ensure a litter-free environment.

October

National Marine Week (Third week of October)
Activities and lessons on marine organisms living in the sea and on the sandy and rocky shores.

December

World AIDS Day (1 December)
World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS, fighting prejudice and improving education.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December)
This annual observance aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

A number of other environmental education projects, programmes and campaigns also take place during the year. For further information on any of these events, please contact:

Ms Esmay Swarts (YES EduNet Co-ordinator)
Tel: +27 021 487 2353
Fax: +27 021 487 2255
E-mail: yes@capetown.gov.za