Regenerate South Africa's Southern Forest: Make a Difference at ReForest Festival with Us!
Planting Your Way Towards Restoring Africa's Southernmost Forest: Get Involved with Reforest Fest!
March 11, 2025
By Ethan Greenleaf
Embrace the essence of the Platbos Forest, nestled in the heart of the Overberg Region's Uilenkraal Valley. This ancient and resilient forest boasts millennia-old milkwood trees, providing refuge to numerous wildlife species such as the rare Cape Leopard, bushbuck, and genet. For centuries, this incredible landscape has borne the brunt of agriculture, wind damage, and fires, but thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, it's time to bring this forest back to life! Join us at Reforest Fest 2025 and make your mark on this meaningful restoration project.
"A third or more of the total climate change mitigation required by 2030, according to scientists, could be achieved by preventing forest loss and taking active steps towards forest restoration." (Climate and Forests 2030 Report)
-Daily Maverick*
A Green Legacy: Trees that Matter
Our aim is to revitalize this unique forestland, safeguarding its vital ecosystem services for generations to come. By supporting and nurturing the Platbos, we aim to boost local biodiversity, improve water management, and fortify the soil's stability. Our efforts focus on restoring 45 ha of the forest, implementing regenerative farming practices at the fynbos-forest boundary, removing invasive species, and reducing the risks of destructive wildfires.
We Need Your Help!
- Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
- Bodhi Khaya Retreat (owned by Purple Plum Properties)
- Platbos Forest Reserve
- Kleinbos
- Tree Liberation Front
Want to learn more? Check out this video.
A Wholistic Approach: Embracing Nature's Balance
Indigenous forests and fynbos are the lifeblood of the Western Cape. These ecosystems offer invaluable benefits, including carbon capture, water cycle regulation, and environmental cooling through evapotranspiration.
The Platbos Forest is one of the few surviving Afromontane forests in South Africa, thriving on sandy soil devoid of support from surrounding rivers. To protect and expand this essential forest, we are working tirelessly to combat threats such as wildfires and invasive plants by creating fire breaks and encouraging the growth of less fire-prone indigenous species.
"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." -John D Liu, filmmaker and ecologist.
Meet Our Forest Heroes
It's estimated that approximately 40 hectares of the Platbos Forest used to be Afromontane coastal sand forests. In 2025, we're reintroducing various native tree species at Reforest Fest, including:
- White Stinkwood (Celtis africana): Home to a variety of birds like Rameron pigeons, willow warblers, black-eyed bulbuls, and mousebirds, the White Stinkwood plays a crucial role in seed dispersal.
- White Milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme): Apart from providing food for speckled mousebirds, this tree offers food sources for bats, monkeys/baboons, and bush pigs as well.
- Wild Olive (Olea europaea africana): A favorite among bird species such as the Olive thrush, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape robin-chat, Speckled pigeon, Cape white-eye, and White-backed mousebird, along with Rock hyrax.
- Red Alder/Rooiels (Cunonia capensis): This frost-resistant, fast-growing tree features a non-invasive root system and brightly scented, white flowers that attract various birds, butterflies, and insects.
Together, these trees safeguard biodiversity, nurture a thriving ecosystem, and create a habitat teeming with wildlife.
Reforest Fest: The Ultimate Tree-Loving Celebration
To date, over 145,000 trees have been planted in the Uilenkraal Valley, and 60,000 trees as part of the FFL9 project (a merger of our FFL4 and FFL6 sites). The festival would not be possible without your continued support! So, don't miss out on Reforest Fest 2025 and let's work together to create a greener future.
Secure your spot at Reforest Fest 2025 on Quicket
April 18-21, 2025 (Easter Weekend) | Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat
Photography by Juliette Bisset and Shari Lee Thompson**
Who We Are
The Greenpop Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental restoration and awareness through events like Reforest Fest. Registered as NPO number NPO 115-479, our work revolves around partnering with organizations, engaging communities, and educating individuals on the importance of land preservation and restoration.
Learn More About Us
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- The Platbos Forest, a millennia-old woodland in the Overberg Region's Uilenkraal Valley, is home to numerous wildlife species like the rare Cape Leopard and bushbuck.
- This forest has faced challenges from agriculture, wind damage, and fires over centuries, but conservation efforts are bringing it back to life.
- Reforest Fest 2025 invites people to join this meaningful restoration project for the Platbos Forest.
- According to scientists, a significant proportion of the climate change mitigation efforts required by 2030 could be achieved by preventing forest loss and promoting forest restoration.
- The Platbos Forest restoration project focuses on revitalizing 45 ha of the forest, implementing regenerative farming practices, removing invasive species, and reducing wildfire risks.
- The Greenpop Foundation, a non-profit organizaton, is dedicated to environmental restoration and awareness through events like Reforest Fest.
- The Platbos Forest is one of the few surviving Afromontane forests in South Africa, offering benefits like carbon capture and water cycle regulation.
- The festival aims to plant various native tree species, such as White Stinkwood, White Milkwood, Wild Olive, and Red Alder/Rooiels, to safeguard biodiversity and create a thriving ecosystem.
- Reforest Fest 2025 will take place at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat over Easter Weekend (April 18-21, 2025).
- Individuals can contribute by volunteering, interning, or even booking a planting day with the Greenpop Foundation.
- Education and self-development opportunities are available through the foundation’s blog, team introductions, annual reports, and FAQs.
- The Greenpop Foundation engages communities, partners with organizations, and educates individuals on the importance of land preservation and restoration.
- To combat threats like wildfires and invasive plants, the foundation creates fire breaks and promotes the growth of less fire-prone indigenous species.
