The BBT  (IT 2448/97) was established in 1997 during the widely publicised and supported campaign to save the Brenton Blue butterfly. The campaign began in 1994 and continued until a Special Nature Reserve was proclaimed by National Government in 2003.

The BBT brought together all the key role players interested in saving the butterfly, including prominent NGOs such as the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa) , the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Green Trust (GT) and the Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) as well as governmental organisations such as CapeNature (CN).

The current trustees are:

Current trustees

The Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa) (www.lepsocafrica.org.za)
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) (www.ewt.org.za)
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) (www.wessa.org.za)
The Western Cape Branch of LepSoc Africa (WCB) (http://www.lepsocafrica.org.za)

The Highveld branch of LepSoc Africa (HB)

Representatives of the Trustees

LepSoc – Ernest Pringle (Chair) (pringle@eastcape.co.za) 046 6850710
EWT – Dr Dave Edge (Treasurer) (orachrysops@gmail.com) 044 3810014 or 074 5807288
WESSA – Lorna Watt (Secretary) (lornawatt@telkomsa.net) 044 3810237 or 072125148
WCB – Andrew Morton (bluebottle@wol.co.za) 021 7886100 or 083 5010762

HB – Jeremy Dobson (jchdobson@gmail.com) 082 7838213

HB – Mark Williams (lepidochrysops@gmail.com) 071 4837171

Aims and Objectives of the BBT

1. To prevent the extinction of the Brenton Blue butterfly
2. To promote its establishment in its previous habitats
3. To support efforts aimed at conserving habitats necessary for the survival of other Lepidoptera species, in the interests of preserving biological diversity
4. To enlist the aid and service of individuals and organisations to raise funds on behalf of the BBT
5. To promote nation-wide and international co-operation between individuals and organisations having aims similar to the BBT’s objectives
6. In furtherance of the objects of the Trust to seek representation on behalf of the Trust on such Executive Committees or Controlling Bodies of Societies and/or Organisations, be they private, public, governmental or otherwise, which tend to advance the objectives of the BBT
7. To liaise and work in conjunction with any other bodies anywhere in the world with objects and/or aims affiliated or similar to those of the BBT
8. To appoint suitable advisers
9. To receive donations and bequests from any source whatsoever and without limitation as to area, in and outside of South Africa
10. To work for and obtain capital for the purpose of carrying out and furtherance of these objects; and
11. To raise funds to finance projects tending to advance the objectives of the BBT.

Donations to the Brenton Blue Trust

The BBT has an ongoing need for funding for its Lepidoptera conservation activities. Refer to the Annual Reports of the Trust to see how funds have been spent and the budgets established for the current year. Funding comes from four sources – donations from organisations or individuals; bequests; Friends of the Brenton Blue and purchase of Brenton Blue souvenirs.

The BBT is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation and as a Public Benefit Organisation.