Category: Rehabilitation & Restoration Projects

We have concentrated much of our tree planting efforts on one section of Heartland Organic Farm. This month, we shifted our focus to a previously cleared area (primarily invaded by pine trees) and started our tree planting efforts on the northern side of the property.

More attention to this side over the past two years had to be given attention before we could begin our planting activities here, since the area not only had to be cleared of non-indigenous saplings springing up in their thousands after the fires and rains, but the soil (which had become too acid)had to be rehabilitated to ensure the right pH balance for our precious trees.

Volunteer Tree Planting: Precious Tree Project has been involved with Heartland’s rehabilitation process for almost 2 years this month. We spent Saturday afternoon on-site again, adding to the forest that we helped establish in 2017, and used the opportunity to assess it’s health. It is so heart-warming to see the rich growth that has taken place over two years and the high fertility of the soil in which these forest trees are being planted..

The more recent fires in October 2018 has meant a redirection of our attention to sites closer to home for the time being, but we left the site knowing that the forest is in good hands. We will be back!

Date: 26 January 2019

The efforts of PTP and the  Heartland Organic Farm team have proven, over the last year and a half, that dedication, commitment and “heardt” work pay dividends. 

While there is still much to be done in the Heartland Forest –and when it seems like we cannot plant enough trees or clear out enough of the non-indigenous saplings showing there merry little heads  – we get to see, each time we go back, how the babies we have planted have taken root and are strong and healthy.

We added 50 more precious trees to the Heartland Forest this month, and this time around we had some of our workforce volunteer their own time to help us out. All that built up dirt and sweat washed off by a swim in the dam. Great way to finish the day!

Precious Tree Project focused much of its tree planting efforts this year assisting Heartland Organic Farm with the regeneration of its natural environment. These efforts, together with the Heartland team themselves, are paying off.  It is heart warming to see the process of regrowth on this property from pure destruction. Animal and insect life are finding their way back here.

After a year of continual input into the restoration of Heartland, we said “au revoir” to the Heartland team for 2019. We planted out 60 precious filler trees in a very happy, healthy and growing indigenous forest. The combined efforts and team work between us, our VIPs and the Heartland team are reaping great rewards for all!

The celebration of Arbor Day is an important one in light of the rate of deforestation around the world. Protecting our trees and regenerating our natural forest areas is a significant practice and should not be restricted to a specific month or a single day.  This said, we honoured this month of tree-planting by giving 50 of our precious trees a new home at Heartland Organic farm… a simple celebration of the inherent value that our precious trees have for this beautiful planet of ours. 

Arbor Day 2018 – Volunteer Tree Planting: The Board Members of Precious Tree Project sponsored 50 trees to be planted out in the Garden Route for Arbor Day this year. We spent the day with our VIPs digging new homes for them in the Heartland Forest. And since we are on a mission to plant millions of precious trees in the GRD, it’s Arbor LifeTime for us! Thank you Mother Earth for your Gift of Trees.

Almost 1 year after the devastation of Heartland Organic Farm, our efforts to plant trees and establish a natural endemic forest patch on this beautiful property continues. 

Our group of volunteers continue to pitch up every month – connecting directly to Mother Earth as they get stuck in, their hands dirty, having some pure and simple fun.

What a delight to see our efforts over the past year take hold and the gratitude of the Heartland team working together to re-establish this amazing organic farm school. Every tree counts, and every individual input matters … no matter how big or small!

Date: February and March 2018

Boehringer Ingelheim sponsored 60 trees as part of their team building event held at Pezula in February. PTP chose to plant 60 beautiful Keurboom trees, which we purchased from the newly developed satellite nursery on Heartland itself, thereby reducing the transport aspect and planting trees that have been growing in the same locale, on Heartland itself as part of our mission to assist with the restoration of the natural environment post the devastation of the fires.

Over eight months after the Knysna fires, after the initial hype and the initial shock have waned, the scars of the fire still so evident but progress is being made.

Our dedicated group of volunteers have been pitching up every month to help the regenerative process of the Heartland Forest. Well done and thank you for bringing your positive and healing vibrations to this project! Thank you, thank you!