Hi, I’m Christina Cloete, a freelance illustrator and nature conservationist based in Toowoomba, Australia. I create engaging visuals that educate and entertain, from coloring books and posters to storybooks and character designs for environmental education. I enjoy turning complex conservation concepts into approachable, humorous visuals that spark curiosity and learning. With a degree in Nature Conservation and 10+ years of experience working with NGOs and environmental education initiatives, I design bespoke materials for schools and communities that promote sustainability and real-world behavioral change. I’m a collaborative, adaptable self-starter who loves exploring new techniques and formats to tell environmentally focused stories.…

Christina Cloete

PRO

Hi, I’m Christina Cloete, a freelance illustrator and nature conservationist based in Toowoomba, Australia. I create engaging visuals that educate and entertain, from coloring books and posters to storybooks and character designs for environmental education. I enjoy turning complex conservation concepts into approachable, humorous visuals that spark curiosity and learning. With a degree in Nature Conservation and 10+ years of experience working with NGOs and environmental education initiatives, I design bespoke materials for schools and communities that promote sustainability and real-world behavioral change. I’m a collaborative, adaptable self-starter who loves exploring new techniques and formats to tell environmentally focused stories.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Christina Cloete, a freelance illustrator and nature conservationist based in Toowoomba, Australia. I create engaging visuals that educate and entertain, from coloring books and posters to storybooks and character designs for environmental education. I enjoy turning complex conservation concepts into approachable, humorous visuals that spark curiosity and learning.

With a degree in Nature Conservation and 10+ years of experience working with NGOs and environmental education initiatives, I design bespoke materials for schools and communities that promote sustainability and real-world behavioral change. I’m a collaborative, adaptable self-starter who loves exploring new techniques and formats to tell environmentally focused stories.

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Language

English
Fluent
Afrikaans
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Illustrator (Environmental Focus) at Self-employed / freelance
April 1, 2014 - Present
Create educational illustrations and materials for environmental organizations; design characters, posters and other visual materials for NGOs; develop engaging content for environmental education with a focus on conservation and sustainability.
Coordinator and Administrator at Garden Route Walking Festival
January 1, 2017 - April 1, 2017
Coordinated inaugural Garden Route Walking Festival across five towns and three municipalities; managed logistics, marketing, stakeholder relations, and data collection for future participation and funding.
Trek Facilitator at Oakhill High School
April 1, 2016 - April 30, 2016
Facilitated and supervised a 400km Odyssey trek for adolescent girls, incorporating cycling, hiking and paddling; ensured safety, logistics and welfare in remote environments.
Freelance Bird Monitor Field Technician at Garden Route Trails
February 1, 2014 - August 31, 2014
Conducted bird monitoring for proposed wind farms; collected and analyzed data to inform environmental impact assessments and conservation planning.
Resident Naturalist at Explorer’s Inn Lodge, Tambopata National Park, Peru
August 1, 2013 - December 1, 2013
Monitored wildlife including caimans, macaws, parrots and giant river otters; supported research, maintained trails and infrastructure, guided tourists, and promoted conservation awareness.
Coordinator and Administrator at Plettenberg Bay Community Environment Forum
April 1, 2011 - June 1, 2013
Monitored development applications, researched legislation, drafted letters and submissions, attended and convened monthly meetings, and prepared minutes to support sustainable development governance.
Actress and Collaborator at Lunchbox Theatre
April 1, 2011 - June 1, 2014
Acted in productions raising awareness of social and environmental issues; collaborated with a creative team to develop theatre projects for youth audiences.

Education

Matriculation at Principia College
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002
National Diploma in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Saasveld Campus
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008
Bachelor of Technology Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Saasveld Campus
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009

Qualifications

PADI - Open Water diving certification
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA): Level 1
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
Certificate in Stewardship and Extension (NMMU and SANBI)
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Day Skippers: Local Waters course
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
NHI101x Certificate in Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration (edX, University of Newcastle, Australia)
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Industry Experience

Education, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Other
    uniE621 Seahorse illustration children's book
    Illustrated a children's book about seahorses for the author Joanne Kaschula…
    uniE621 Southern Emu Wren Character
    Illustrated a Southern Emu Wren character for BirdLife Australia…
    uniE621 Lou Lou Story book
    Illustrated a children's Story book for Joanne Kaschula called Lou Lou and the Riddle of the Magic Pearl…
    uniE621 Bar Tailed Godwit character
    Designed a character for BirdLife Australia of a Bar-tailed Godwit illustrator…
    uniE621 BirdLife Australia Bittern Character design
    Character design of a bittern for BirdLife Australia…
    uniE621 Green Adaleide Painted Dragon tshirt design
    Designed and illustrated the T-shirt for the Painted Dragon rewilding program with Green Adaleide…
    uniE621 BirdLife South Africa Bird of the Year 2018
    BirdLife South Africa Bird of the year project. Wrote and illustrated several comics with a Oyster Catcher as the main character, to create awareness around the conservation of these birds.…
    uniE621 Birdlife South Africa Bird of the Year 2019
    BirdLife South Africa Bird of the year project. Wrote and illustrated several comics with a Secretary Bird as the main character, to create awareness around the conservation of these birds.…
    uniE621 Birdlife South Africa Bird of the Year 2018
    BirdLife South Africa Bird of the year project. Wrote and illustrated several comics with an Oystercatcher as the main character, to create awareness around the conservation of these birds.…
    uniE621 BirdLife South Africa Bird of the Year 2019
    BirdLife South Africa Bird of the year project. Wrote and illustrated several comics with a Secretary Bird as the main character, to create awareness around the conservation of these birds.…
    uniE621 Strider comic for BirdLife South Africa
    BirdLife South Africa Bird of the year 2019 project. Wrote and illustrated several comics with a Secretary Bird as the main character, to create awareness around the conservation of these birds. illustrator comic…