Tag: Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor

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Another Collective Effort to Rehabilitate the Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor

A large area of alien invasive species has been cleared over the past few weeks to allow for natural regrowth as well as for the next mini-forest pocket of indigenous trees to assist the reforestation process. The process is not always as simple as it looks: the biomass from the clearing process has been carefully sorted into usable wood piles, ready to be recycled for firewood or, as in the case of smaller, broken pieces have been left on the ground to naturally biodegrade – enriching the soil, providing valuable mulch and acting as a protective floor cover to reduce evaporation levels in high temperatures.

A number of the ringbarked invasive trees have been intentionally left behind. These standing dying trees provide shade for the existing indigenous trees that will now naturally pop up where as the invasive species have been removed. They will also offer welcome shade for the newly planted forest pocket as it establishes itself..

The success of previous planting initiatives is already evident as we witnessed large Yellowwoods, proudly displaying growth since they were planted a year ago! These majestic trees serve as a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of our dedicated efforts, and offer a glimpse into the lush future of the Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor (WHWLC).

This inspiring work in the WHWLC highlights the power of collective involvement in conservation. The energy and dedication of our VIPs (very important planters) are truly making a difference, one mini forest pocket at a time. Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of this important wildlife corridor.

Thank you Garden Route Biosphere Reserve and FeedmeGreen for making this mini-forest pocket possible!

Check out the video below.

If you would like to Gift a Tree in honour/celebration of a loved one click here, or Sponsor Trees to support our assisted reforestation and socio-eco regeneration efforts in the Garden Route click here.

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SMEC George Celebrates Anniversary with Environmental Action

The SMEC team in George took team building to a whole new level – one that involved getting their hands dirty and connecting with the beautiful natural environment around them. Facilitated by Melissa Dalton, PTP Administrator and Public Officer, the session was perfectly timed to coincide with Arbour Month (September), adding a meaningful layer of environmental awareness to their team bonding experience.

The session kicked off with an insightful look into the importance of the fynbos and forest biomes that are so vital to our region. Melissa highlighted their significance for biodiversity, the challenges they face, and the crucial connection we all share with the natural world. It was a valuable reminder of the rich ecological tapestry that surrounds us here in the Garden Route, Western Cape.

Adding a tangible element to their commitment, SMEC, an international business with offices in George, sponsored 10 trees in celebration of their 10 years in business. This gesture not only contributes to the local environment but also provides a fantastic opportunity for the team to get involved directly.

For some, it was a brand new experience – the feel of soil between their fingers, the weight of a young sapling. By the end of the planting session, a happy and fulfilled group stood back to admire their handiwork, a testament to the power of shared experience and a connection with nature.

It’s inspiring to see an international company like SMEC embrace local environmental initiatives, fostering both team spirit and a deeper understanding of our precious natural heritage. This tree-planting activity was undoubtedly a memorable and impactful experience for the SMEC team in George, proving that growth and connection can happen in more ways than one.

Well done, team SMEC!

Click here if you would like to Gift A Tree!

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A Day of Growth and Giving

Today wasn’t just about putting roots in the ground; it was about the incredible spirit of community and the power of collective action to nurture our precious environment. We had the pleasure of hosting not one, but two wonderful planting sessions, each with its own unique charm.

Morning Bloom: THYME to Plant

Our morning began with a heartwarming visit from the vibrant seniors of The Garden Thyme Group, hailing all the way from Knysna. This remarkable group, aptly named, certainly proved that age is no barrier to making a tangible difference. They arrived with enthusiasm and a generous spirit, having not only sponsored a number of trees but also rolled up their sleeves to plant them themselves!

We were thrilled to welcome these green-thumbed individuals to the Shamboh site. In a touching gesture, the trees planted during this session were each dedicated in honour of a member of The Garden Thyme Group, sponsored directly by the members themselves. Imagine the legacy these trees will represent, a living tribute to the individuals who care so deeply about our planet.

Witnessing this planting was inspiring – a powerful reminder that every generation has a vital role to play in environmental stewardship. They created a beautiful connection with the land and each other.

Afternoon Flourish: A Mini Forest Takes Root

As the morning sun gave way to the afternoon warmth, we welcomed a different group to another newly cleared section of the Wildlife Corridor. This session focused on creating a small, vibrant mini forest pocket, thanks to the wonderful generosity of individuals who sponsored trees through our “Gift a Tree” platform.

It’s always incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact of these sponsorships. Today, we planted a significant number of trees, each one representing a thoughtful contribution from someone who believes in the power of nature and the importance of reforestation. These trees will contribute to the biodiversity of the area, providing habitat and helping to create a thriving ecosystem within this small pocket of land.

The afternoon planting session was a testament to the collective impact of individual actions. Each sponsored tree, when planted together, creates something far greater than the sum of its parts – a growing, breathing mini-forest that will benefit the environment for years to come.

A Day of Growth, Together

Today was a powerful reminder of the incredible things we can achieve when we work together. From the enthusiastic seniors of The Garden Thyme Group to the thoughtful individuals who gifted trees, every single contribution, big or small, plays a vital role in our mission.

We extend our deepest gratitude to The Garden Thyme Group for their visit, their sponsorship, and their inspiring energy. And to everyone who has gifted a tree through our platform, thank you for your support!

Click here if you would like to Gift A Tree!
We have selected 11 of our favourite endemic forest tree species for you to choose from. The tree species you select and sponsor in honour / celebration of a loved one, will be planted out in one of reforestation projects in the Garden Route, with a range of other species, in bio-mimicked indigenous forest patches that emulate the natural forest biome of the area.

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The Gift of Trees

Gift a Tree - Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor 25 March 2023

A forest pocket of gifted trees

Sponsorships and donations in support of our wildlife corridor rehabilitation and assisted reforestation endeavours come in a number of ways. One of these is our Gift-a-Tree platform where you can gift a tree to a bio-mimicked forest pocket planted out in one of our wildlife corridors in honour of a loved one… honouring a birthday, a promotion, an anniversary or a life lived.

Gifting a Tree in our wildlife corridors in celebration of another simultaneously supports the ongoing rehabilitation activities in our local wildlife corridors. So, if you would like to Gift a tree to a special person in celebration of a birthday, an anniversary or in honour of their life, simply click here.

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After Action Satisfaction

After-Action-Satisfaction-WHWC-17-September-2022-Precious-Tree-Project

The “Shamboh” Wildlife Corridor in Wilderness Heights has been one of our focal sites of ongoing rehabilitation over the past few years. Returning to the area to continue clearing out aliens and then coming back to plant out another mini-forest brings with it the opportunity to observe the natural reforestation taking place in the corridor in between our assisted reforestation efforts, as well as the satisfaction of seeing the growth of the mini-forest pockets we have planted out in previous sessions.

Each planting session is a labour of love taken on by our volunteers and becomes an exercise of short term fun for medium and long term gain. All made possible by your individual sponsors via our Gift-a-Tree platform. Thank you!

Click here if you would like to sponsor an indigenous South African forest tree towards our wildlife corridors in the Garden Route OR visit payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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The Breath of Giving and Receiving

breathe of giving and receiving precious tree project tree planting gift a tree

Lindsay Durham gifted her longtime and special friend, Clairabella, an Outeniqua Yellowwood for her 80th birthday. As a surprise, she also organised with Precious Tree Project that Clairabella get to plant her gift out in our Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor.

This is the beautiful and heartfelt message captured by Lindsay in the video below.

Thank you for your encouraging words and wisdom!

GIFT A TREE

By gifting a tree you are helping us not only to assist the natural reforestation process along the Garden Route and all the direct and indirect benefits that it comes with, but you are also choosing a Gift on behalf of another that has a low environmental impact too. We have selected 11 of our favourite endemic forest tree species for you to choose from to sponsor in honour / celebration of a loved one, which will be planted out with a range of other species, in bio-mimicked indigenous forest patches that emulate the natural forest biome of the area.

If you would like to sponsor a tree for a loved one click here to gift a tree.

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Biodiversity, Forest Rehabilitation and Indigenous Landscaping

Biodiversity, forest rehabilitation and indigenous landscaping

Our primary focus is the assisted reforestation of identified wildlife corridors in the region. The need to address biodiversity through assisted reforestation, however, is not limited to the wildlife corridors we have identified. There is a rapid rise in residential developments on small holdings that fall within the Afromontane forest biome of the region, where existing indigenous forest patches and endemic plant species are continuously removed to make space for residential developments. Many landowners fail to restore the natural forest biome around their homes post the construction phase. The accumulative loss of biodiversity as a result is a concerning one and not often addressed by the designing team, the property developer or homeowner in the building process.

This month an intern currently studying Environmental Design at Stellenbosch University, Hano du Plessis (featured image), shadowed us in our daily activities for a week, which included joining in on our July monthly volunteer planting session in the Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor.

When asked what his primary take-away was from his week with us, this is how he responded: “How Being made aware of the incredible importance of designing-around-nature and landscaping with endemic and indigenous trees & plants as a primary consideration in the design process”. Nice!

If you would like to sponsor an indigenous South African forest tree and help expand this wildlife corridor in the Garden Route, click here OR https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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Fly … Plant … Offset!

Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor 23 April 2022 Precious Tree Project

We were delighted to have one of our international sponsors join in on our monthly planting session held in the wildlife corridor in April. She got to see the progress made on our Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor, where the majority of her donated trees over the past 5 years have been planted out. The importance of assisted reforestation became evident to her as she was guided through the corridor.

Allowing the forest to naturally re-establish itself is the optimal choice, but the poor quality of the soil (as a result of the presence of Pines, Blackwoods and Wattles), rapid reappearance of invasive saplings, climate change and associated extremes weather patterns all retard the regrowth and regeneration process.

Planting out a range of forest tree species that emulate the forest biome is our method of assisting the reforestation process and precipitating growth and the restoration of biodiversity in the area.

Thank you Monika for your ongoing support and our Very Important Planters for theirs.
We could not do this without you all!

If you would like to support our ongoing efforts of assisted regeneration of our wildlife corridors, click on the following link: https://precioustreeproject.org.za/sponsor-trees/.

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The Gift of Gifting a Precious Tree

The Gift of Gifting a Precious Tree - Precious Tree Project

Gifting a tree to a loved one as a birthday present, wedding gift or any other ceremonial and remembrance occasion is becoming more popular with our followers. Our ability to continuously assist with the ongoing reforestation of the Wilderness Heights Wildlife Corridor is a result of the support we receive every time you gift a tree in honour of your loved ones.

The Precious Tree Project Team says thank you!

Click here if you would like to sponsor an indigenous forest tree to our wildlife corridors OR you can go to https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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Choosing Green to Honour Purple

Choosing Green to Honour Purple BTS Precious Tree Project

BTS is a South Korean band with a large number of big international hits and a very big following across the globe, known as the BTS Army. The BTS Army have a base here in South Africa and this year they are celebrating their 8th Anniversary by gifting trees in honour and support of BTS’s Purple Pave Project.

“When we think about generosity, we think of you. When we think about kindness, we think of you. When we think about humility and care for mankind and for our planet, we always think of you. You’ve inspired millions to make our world a better place today, but also for tomorrow. For you, for us, we pay your example forward. We purple you.”

“Our gift of trees is in your honour as part of the “Purple Pave for BTS” Project. We purple you.”

“… ‘It’s okay … when I say 1, 2, 3, forget it. Erase all sad memories. Hold my hand & smile’ .. Our gift in your honour as part of the ‘Purple pave for BTS’ Project“

“Borahae BTS!”

“Borahae” (“I purple you”) is a phrase combining two Korean words: Violet (“bora”) and I love you (“saranghae”) and was coined during a 2016 concert by Kim Taehyung (a.k.a “V” of BTS). “Borahae” implies “I’ll love you till the end of days” since purple (violet) is the last colour of the rainbow.

The Precious Tree Project Team says thank you to the South African BTS Army for choosing a green project to celebrate and honour a purple one.

BTS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bangtan.official.

If you would like to sponsor an indigenous South African forest tree on behalf of BTS and help expand this wildlife corridor in the Garden Route, click here OR go to https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.