Leader: Guy Preston

Contributed by Guy Preston

Name: Guy Preston

Job: Chairperson and National Programme Leader of the Working for Water programme in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa.

Where do you work? Pretoria, South Africa

Area(s) of expertise:
Management of invasive alien species; fire management; wetland management; social development, poverty relief and job creation; water and energy management; environmental impact assessments; the interface between natural resources, human population dynamics and the environment, and environmental advocacy and education. Prior to joining the Government in 1995, I was a researcher at the Environmental Evaluation Unit at the University of Cape Town, where the main foci of my research was on water and energy conservation (most notably the User-pays programme that succeeded in reducing national parks visitors’ use of water by 73% on average, and electricity by 60%), developing South Africa’s first environmental impact assessment procedures, and environmental advocacy.

Degree(s): Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Cape Town. 

What are the highlights of your career accomplishments?
The co-initiation of the Working for Water programme in 1995 with the Minister for Water Affairs and Forestry, Professor Kader Asmal. Working for Water has grown to be the biggest conservation programme in Africa. It employs over 29,000 people, drawn from the poorest of the poor, and empowers previously marginalized groups (such as women, youth, those with disabilities and people living with HIV/AIDS). In addition, I initiated and co-chaired several other major programmes — notably the Working for Wetlands programme (employing over 2,200 people), the Working on Fire programme (1,500 people) and the KwaZulu-Natal Invasive Alien Species Programme (over 3,000 people). Other significant programmes I have initiated and led include the Ukuvuka Campaign (an invasive and fire-management programme around Table Mountain that was a forerunner to the very successful Working on Fire programme) and the Eco-coffin Programme (using cleared invasive alien wood to make quality coffins, aimed at significantly reducing the cost of bereavement for the poor). 

What are your favorite species and/or landscapes?
Perhaps the nature of my work on invasives means that I am better able to identify my least-favourite plant (Acacia mearnsii, the black wattle from Australia). Pushed for an answer, the indigenous umbrella thorn (Acacia tortillas) and wood owl (Strix woodfordii) are my current favourites. 

Why are you passionate about conservation?
I am strongly committed to environmental conservation and social justice, and make every effort to “walk the talk,” such as in the conservation measures and practices I adopt in my home (eg, measuring water consumption on a daily basis).

What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
In my personal time, I enjoy music, jogging, gym, hiking and spending time with my wife and two sons.