Tag: tree planting

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ECOLUTION FESTIVAL at Well-Being Sanctuary: 26-29 September 2024

ecolution festival 2024

BE THE CHANGE… you want to see in the world.

Welcome to ECOLUTION, a celebration of nature, sustainability, and community!

An initiative of Well-Being Sanctuary in collaboration with Precious Tree Project (NPO), this unique festival is not just about music and having a lekker time, but is dedicated to fostering a deeper connection with the environment and promoting ecological harmony.

At the heart of ECOLUTION are three fundamental pillars: establishing wildlife corridors, forest rehabilitation, and embracing permaculture principles.

WILDLIFE CORRIDORS are vital pathways that connect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to migrate, forage, and breed freely. At the festival you can explore talks, educational exhibits and interactive workshops focused on raising awareness about the importance of preserving these corridors. Experts share insights on the impact of habitat fragmentation and ways landowners and individuals can contribute to creating and maintaining these vital lifelines for biodiversity.

FOREST REHABILITATION takes center stage at ECOLUTION, symbolising renewal and regeneration. You are invited to participate in fun-filled ceremonies, planting trees and fynbos, where you can get your hands dirty and contribute to restoring degraded ecosystems, as well as clearing alien species. Guided forest hikes offer an immersive experience, allowing participants to witness firsthand the transformative power of nature restoration. Through collaborative efforts, ECOLUTION aims to replenish natural biomes, combat climate change, and provide habitat for countless species.

PERMACULTURE, the third pillar of ECOLUTION, is a holistic approach to sustainable living that mimics natural ecosystems and promotes resilience. Workshops on permaculture design showcase innovative techniques for creating self-sustaining food systems, regenerative agriculture, and eco-friendly infrastructure. From composting and rainwater harvesting to agroforestry and renewable energy; from natural building to worm farming, ECOLUTION inspires attendees to embrace practices that harmonise with nature, nourish the land, and support local communities.

In addition to these core pillars, ECOLUTION offers a vibrant lineup of eco-conscious performances, art installations crafted from recycled materials, and a marketplace featuring sustainable products from local artisans and green businesses. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or a curious newcomer, ECOLUTION invites you to join in the celebration of our planet and discover how together, we can create a brighter, greener future for generations to come.

Play as you learn with our AMAZING EXPERTS –

FEATURING…

TALKS, FOREST WALKS, WORKSHOPS, YOGA, LIVE MUSIC, ECSTATIC DANCE, TREE- AND FYNBOS PLANTING, ALIEN SPECIES CLEARING, FOOD STALLS, KIDS ZONE, FIRE DANCING, TRADING AND SO MUCH MORE!

DELUXE GLAMPING: For Next Level Luxury in a 5m Bell Tent is at a special package for the entire 4 days.
1 to 2 people R2,000 (variety in beds available, first come, first serve)
3 to 4 people R2,800

TICKETS – Your ticket incorporates the purchase of an endemic indigenous tree.

EARLY BIRD ADULTS: R399 • EARLY BIRD KIDS: R199
* Sales window closes 30 June 2024

STANDARD ADULTS: R699 • STANDARD KIDS: R299
* Sales window closes 31 August 2024

SNOOZE ADULTS: R999 • SNOOZE KIDS: R399
* Effective 1 to 29 September 2024

Ticket price includes free camping (bring your own tent), drinking water, firewood and entertainment. Provide your own food or purchase your meals from the food stalls.

We value clear, conscious connection.

NO PETS. NO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS. RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED.

DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE
The GPS co-ordinates provided below will only take you to Lake Avenue. But if you read the directions below, you’ll get to the venue. Guaranteed!

https://maps.google.com/?q=-33.971325,22.776617

FROM THE SEDGEFIELD SIDE
Once you pass through Sedgefield on the N2, take the Karatara turnoff to your left. Travel about 4km to the first turn to the left (also signposted: Karatara). Pass over a low water bridge, travel about 3km to the first left turn. It is a dirt road with a sign saying Hoogekraal/George.
Follow the road over the river and up the pass for about 5km to the first left turn. Signs say Well-Being Sanctuary, Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei. TURN LEFT into Lake Avenue.
From the top of Lake Avenue just keep following the blue and white WBS arrows. At the bottom of the road you will see a face brick entrance, TURN LEFT and you will see a large wooden gate. You have arrived.
Once through the gate (where you will be required to present your pre-booked tickets) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!

FROM THE WILDERNESS SIDE
Once you pass through Wilderness on the N2, take the turn off to Hoekwil. Travel for approximately 21km and take the right turn onto the dirt road to Ruigtevlei.
Travel approximately 3 km along the dirt road and turn right into Lake Avenue (at this juncture you will see a few signs, including Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei, Tomorrowland & Well-Being Sanctuary). TURN RIGHT into Lake Avenue.
From the top of Lake Avenue just keep following the blue and white WBS arrows. At the bottom of the road you will see a face brick entrance, TURN LEFT and you will see a large wooden gate. You have arrived.
Once through the gate (where you will be required to present your pre-booked tickets) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!

Join the Facebook event for live updates.

Ecolution Festival 2024
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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Hibernia Primary School

WMO Hibernia Primary School Precious Tree Project

SITE #19: Hibernia Primary School

The school is located in Rosemoor in George and has approx. 600 learners (Grade 1 to Grade 7). Hibernia Primary is a Section 21 primary school and is allocated some level of funding by the Department of Education. The school itself is responsible for ordering stationery, textbooks, paying utilities (water and lights accounts) and undertaking their own maintenance. It is a no-fee institution and the school is reliant on outside funding to cover its running costs. The majority of these learners feed through to George High School as the primary Secondary School option for the communities’ schoolgoers.

There is a Groundsman who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the grounds. He will be responsible for the maintenance and care of the indigenous trees that have been planted around the sportsfield in collaboration with the Grade 6 and 7 learners.

We say thank you WMO – Youth Africa Chapter for making this possible!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE.
To make a donation or sponsor a tree please visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – George Child Welfare

WMO George Child Welfare 24 April 2024

SITE #18: George Child Welfare (Rosemoor)

This little pre-primary school is situated in Rosemoor, George and is managed by George Child and Family Welfare (NPO). The creche accommodates 80 young children between the ages of 3 and 5. Under the management of the George Child and Family Welfare non-profit, it relies on donations and sponsorships to assist with the upkeep of the school.

The pre-school has a contained area behind the school that has been set up as a food garden. WMO sponsored a number of indigenous trees and fruit trees to the garden that we planted out with these young school goers. The garden will be maintained by a garden service and the learners will be involved in watering the trees with their class teacher. 

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth and your contributions to their food garden.

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE.
To make a donation or sponsor a tree please visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Nature’s Valley

WMO Nature`s Valley Community 27 March 2024

SITE #17: Nature’s Valley

We have been donating a few indigenous trees to this small informal community in Nature’s Valley over the past year. The community comprises 223 members of which 133 are adults (22 years plus) and 90 (below the age of 21). The leadership committee of the community have recently established the Kleinkranz Nature’s Valley Community Forum (NPC) in order to formalise and facilitate funding for projects geared towards the socio-eco-environmental development and upliftment of the community.

A number of projects to uplift the community are on the go, initiated by the Community Leadership. This includes a library, playgrounds, netball field, a sportsfield, and a station for the mobile clinic. A small community food garden was set up 2 years ago by one of the Senior members of the community (Antony), who supervises and runs the garden and apportions the harvest to the families in the community most in need. His intention is to create a station for composting and earthworm farming.The intention is to eventually plant a fruit tree in each household. 

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in our youth, and facilitating the awareness on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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Mini-Forest Magic in the Shamboh Wildlife Corridor

Mini-Forest Magic in the Shamboh Wildlife Corridor - Precious Tree Project

Shamboh WLC expands its biodiversity footprint with another successful mini-forest pocket planting! This latest addition to the forest biome was made possible through the combined contributions of Mines Rescue, who sponsored half the trees, and the wonderful individuals who support us through our Gift a Tree platform in honour of a loved one.

The groundwork for this mini-forest was pre-prepared by the landowner, who diligently thinned the area and cleared it of invasive species. Larger alien trees trees were methodically ringbarked and will be removed in due course, since they provide shade for the newly planted saplings.

Following our established best practices, the new trees within this forest pocket have been planted in close proximity to one another. This method facilitates the development of intricate underground networks, allowing the trees to communicate and support each other as they grow and establish a resilient ecosystem.

Though the planting itself was uncomplicated, the creation of this mini-forest at Shamboh WLC – powered by the generosity of our community – represents a significant step towards a richer and more biodiverse environment.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Kretzenshoop Primary School

WMO Kretzenshoop Primary School - Precious Tree Project

SITE #16: Kretzenshoop Primary School

Kretzenshoop Primary is located in Blanco, in George. The school has approximately 800 learners. This established little school is well-maintained on the limited funds provided by the Department of Education and is a public primary school. The school is a Section 21 school, meaning it is allocated limited finances by the Department (for staff salaries) and is responsible for ordering stationery, text books, paying water and lights accounts, and undertaking their own maintenance under ABCDE functions, and is classified under quintile 1 as a no-fee institution.

There is a small food kitchen that can feed approximately 400 learners daily which is supported by a newly created small-scale vegetable garden (currently not sufficient to supply the food kitchen with all of its requirements). The majority of the learners attending do not have a pre-packed lunch as they reside in a low-income bracket community in which the school is situated.

There is a groundsman who currently handles the general maintenance of the school grounds, and in collaboration with the learners’ maintenance schedule, will handle the overall management of the sponsored trees.

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth, and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being!

Check out the YouTube video below!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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A Tapestry of Remembrance: Planting Seeds of Love in Eastbrook

planting seeds of love eastbrook wildlife corridor precious tree project

The year 2023 etched itself onto our hearts with both sorrow and the quiet promise of renewal. For many, it was a year marked by personal loss, a time when the absence of loved ones left an undeniable void. It was in this spirit of remembrance that The Precious Tree Project embarked on a deeply meaningful activity: planting mini memorial forest pockets, living tributes dedicated to those who have passed on.

This particular planting session held a unique poignancy as we gathered at Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor to create two such pockets, side by side. These verdant spaces were lovingly dedicated to two cherished individuals: David Oldfield and Carol George. Each tree that took root in this shared earth was sponsored by the family and friends of David and Carol, a testament to the enduring impact they had on the lives they touched.

The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection interwoven with a gentle sense of community. Many who held David dear came to participate in the planting, their presence a comforting embrace of shared memories. While no one present had the privilege of knowing Carol George personally, her pocket was intentionally placed beside David’s, creating a shared space of remembrance. We held a ceremony for her too, acknowledging the life that was and the love that surrounded her.

Throughout the process, the air was filled with the gentle rhythm of song and the grounding beat of drums, a harmonious blend of remembrance and the vibrant energy of new life taking hold. Thereafter a meal was shared by all who attended this special gathering.

The groundwork for these pockets was laid by Chrissy, the landowner of Eastbrook WLC, who diligently cleared the chosen space that is free of alien invasive species, and prepared the earth to receive these native trees. This act of stewardship underscores the collaborative spirit of the project, where landowners play a vital role in creating spaces for these mini forests to flourish.

These two pockets at Eastbrook stand as more than just collections of trees. They are palpable expressions of love, remembrance, and connection. They are spaces where memories can breathe, where the rustling leaves whisper stories, and where the cycle of life continues, honoring those who are no longer with us in their physical form. The Precious Tree Project team is humbled to facilitate these acts of enduring love, one tree, one forest pocket, one memory at a time.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Thembalethu High School

Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Thembalethu High School Precious Tree Project

SITE #15: Thembalethu High School

The school is located in Thembalethu in George and has approximately 1300 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12). As a no-fee institution, funds for maintenance and development are limited. Community fundraising to bring in additional funding for maintenance, upkeep, etc. is essential but very limited from within the community therefore the school relies on external sponsors for assistance.

There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners daily. The school has recently been subsidised a small vegetable garden that is well maintained by the caretaker. Ongoing maintenance and supply of vegetable seedlings/seeds will be required to keep the garden going. Limited composting of garden refuse is done on site.

There is a small team of ground staff who are responsible for the general maintenance of the school grounds and who have designated responsibilities for the upkeep of the grounds.

A limited number of water tanks are installed on the school grounds – providing adequate water storage and accessible watering points around the school for the watering of the trees.

Thank you World Memon Organisation for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth, and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being.

Check out the Youtube video below!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative – Imizamo Yethu High School

Tree Planting and Environmental Awareness Initiative Imizamo Yethu High School Precious Tree Project

SITE #14: Imizamo Yethu High School

Imizamo Yethu High School is located in Thembalethu, George and has approximately 1500 learners (Grade 8 to Grade 12). The school is a public secondary school and a no-fee institution and relies on additional funds from external sources outside of the Dpt. of Education, since the latter provides limited funding.

The school is collaborating with Heatherlands High School to create a “Shared Responsibility and Use” of upgrading the sports field, including planting trees to create shaded areas.

There is an existing food kitchen that feeds all the learners. The school, as part of the new Agricultural Sciences recently introduced to Grade 8, has started an enclosed vegetable garden to feed the school kitchen, as part of the Agricultural Sciences curriculum.

There is a small team of ground-staff who are responsible for the general maintenance of the school grounds and a dedicated gardener for the fruit & vegetable garden, all of whom are available to oversee the trees in collaboration with the Agricultural Sciences classes.

Thank you, World Memon Organisation, for your ongoing support and investment in the health of our youth and educating them on the importance of trees and our natural environment in our own health and well-being.

Check out the Youtube video below!

Click here if you would like to GIFT A TREE OR visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject to make a donation or sponsor a tree.

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PTP Mini Outreach Program – Greening up the Local Community Playgrounds

precious tree project

There is a small informal community in Nature’s Valley which is nestled in and amongst Milkwoods and Cheesewoods on the sand dunes of Kleinkrantz. Under the supervision and direction of Brian Mushfield, a retired minister and Kleinkrantz resident, the community have been working closely with one another to elevate their space and develop their community.

One specific project has been the upgrade of the existing playground and the creation of two play areas for the children. The need for trees across these playgrounds was fulfilled when Cheesewoods and Milkwoods, the endemic tree species that grows naturally in the area, were donated by local Wilderness residents, Mike and Romy. The community, old and young alike, joined us to plant these – as well as additional Milkwoods donated by Precious Tree Project –  in and around the playground areas.

“Blessed are old people who plant trees knowing that they shall never sit in the shade of their foliage”

If the elders of the community do not get to sit under the shade of these trees they planted, the children of the community will.

Precious Tree Project is involved in a number of wildlife rehabilitation projects between Wilderness and Sedgefield. If you would like to sponsor an indigenous South African forest tree towards these corridors, click here – OR – visit www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.