Charity profile

The West Coast Environmental Protection Association (WCEPA) is dedicated to protecting the eco-systems and livelihoods that are dependent on the Elandsfontein aquifer in the heart of the West Coast National Park.

Elandsfontein forms part of the Core area of the UNESCO Cape West Coast Biosphere and has been identified National Park Buffer Zone. Provincial government has recognised Elandsfontein as a climate adaptive corridor, where the area is large enough to buffer impacts of climate change and it has also been classified as a Critical Biodiversity Area.

Unfortunately, this critical area – on which thousands of livelihoods depend through tourism, farming and fishing – is under threat from phosphate strip mining for which a mining application was granted without an Environmental Impact Assessment, a Water Use License, Environmental Authorization or an Air Emissions license.

WCEPA was formed to raise awareness locally and nationally as well as to raise funds and direct a legal challenge to put the mining right under review and defend this critically ecologically, economically and socially important part of our country.