Mentors for the Environment

The "Mentors for the Environment" guide by WWF South Africa outlines a systemic, transformational course designed to build mentoring capacity in the environmental sector. The course uses a three-module structure—covering systems analysis, mentoring theories, and practical tools—and requires participants to complete an action research project in a real-world workplace. It provides specific frameworks like the GROW model and SWOT analysis to equip mentors with the skills to support professional development and organisational change.

• The course was developed to address a documented lack of mentoring capacity in the environmental and biodiversity sectors, noting a trend where organisations reduced in-house training and employers lost the capacity to support workplace-based learning.
• The course employs a systemic approach, treating mentoring as an activity system that exists between individuals but is influenced by the broader organisational, national, and skills development context.
• The course is structured into three primary modules: Module 1 focuses on a systems analysis of mentoring activities; Module 2 explores theories of mentoring to make implicit approaches explicit; and Module 3 provides practical tools and process flows for design, development, and feedback.
• The course methodology is based on adult learning principles, constructivism, and the action-reflection field, utilizing a scaffolding process that includes a pre-course assignment, a minimum three-day workshop, and post-course tutorial support.
• A central component of the course is an action research assignment where learners conduct a situational analysis of a workplace, develop a mentoring plan, implement it over approximately two months, and provide recommendations to the organisation.
• The guide provides specific practical tools for mentors, including the GROW model (Goals, Reality, Options, Wrap-up and Action) for structuring conversations, SWOT analysis for mentee self-assessment, and the 'Sandwich Approach' for delivering constructive feedback.
• The guide identifies three main categories of mentoring relationship breakdowns: contextual (lack of organisational support), interpersonal (reactions to the relationship), and procedural (problems in relationship management).
• The authors decided to postpone formal accreditation of the course because they found no perfectly matching unit standards, noted that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) was phasing out unit standard-based accreditation, and wanted the flexibility to modify the course based on implementation results.
• The course aims to create a multiplier effect by training 'trainers of mentors,' including experienced mentors, accredited training providers, mid-level HR managers, and university staff.

APA

Rosenberg, E., Raven, G., Warner, C., Feldman, F., Hesqua, L., Misser, S., & Stellenboom, S. (n.d.). Mentors for the Environment. WWF South Africa. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/mentors_course_file.pdf

Chicago

Rosenberg, Eureta, Glenda Raven, Claire Warner, Farrha Feldman, Letasha Hesqua, Shanu Misser, and Simonne Stellenboom. Mentors for the Environment. WWF South Africa, n.d. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/mentors_course_file.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Eureta |last2=Raven |first2=Glenda |last3=Warner |first3=Claire |last4=Feldman |first4=Farrha |last5=Hesqua |first5=Letasha |last6=Misser |first6=Shanu |last7=Stellenboom |first7=Simonne |title=Mentors for the Environment |publisher=WWF South Africa |url=http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/mentors_course_file.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rosenbergndmentors, author = {Rosenberg, Eureta and Raven, Glenda and Warner, Claire and Feldman, Farrha and Hesqua, Letasha and Misser, Shanu and Stellenboom, Simonne}, title = {{Mentors for the Environment}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, url = {http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/mentors_course_file.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }