Tag: wildlife corridor

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A Butterfly-Foundation Legacy: 1,000 Indigenous Trees Bringing a Community Together at Ecolution Festival 2025

1,000 Indigenous Trees Butterfly Foundation Ecolution Festival 2025

The Wellbeing Wildlife Sanctuary in Karatara was the magical setting for the annual Ecolution Festival that took place from 3-6 October 2025. This wasn’t just a weekend of camping, music and educational workshops, but was also a hands-on, multi-generational effort to rehabilitate disturbed sections of the property to support the passage of wildlife and improve biodiversity. 

The festival was hosted by Dion Viljoen and Mariette Carstens in collaboration with Precious Tree Project, represented by our very own Ray. The Ecolution Team put on another highly enjoyable weekend where attendees showed up as co-creators in this important rehabilitation effort for the wildlife corridors running through Wellbeing Sanctuary. These natural pathways are essential for the movement and survival of local animal populations, and the festival has given them a significant boost since its launch in 2024!  

The tireless work of the Ecolution Team ensured that the event ran smoothly and that the environmental restoration goals remained front and centre of the festivities. This was evident in what was the ambitious and most impactful part of the weekend  –  the monumental task of planting this new forest pocket  – where festival goers, from toddlers to elders, came together to put 1,000 indigenous trees into the ground! An impressive range of over 30 different locally indigenous tree species were thrown in the forest mix. This incredible planting effort, preceded by the clearing efforts undertaken prior to the festival, was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Butterfly Foundation. Thank you!
Butterfly Foundation | Creating a positive impact, one traveler at a time

Beyond the planting, attendees enjoyed a vibrant agenda of eco-conscious activities designed to inspire and educate. The program featured a range of talks by guest speakers and engaging workshops, offering practical skills and deep insights into environmental stewardship. Other activities also included eco-conscious performances, earth crafts, live music, dancing, yoga, drumming, and a green marketplace – something for all ages to enjoy. 

The energy and commitment displayed at the Wellbeing Wildlife Sanctuary was a joyful, communal celebration. By planting, learning, and connecting, the participants of the Ecolution Festival 2025 have laid down deep roots for a greener, wilder future for Wellbeing Sanctuary.  

Thank you to everyone who joined in and made this difference! Hope to see you all there next year!

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A Gift to our Wildlife

git to wildlife eastbrook wlc precious tree project

In another rehabilitation effort to offer up land in our wildlife corridors back to nature, we started with the usual clearing out of alien invasive species on a patch of land in our Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor. This was done to prepare the area for the next mini-forest pocket of indigenous trees to be planted while also making room for the local flora to pop and thrive in between the newly planted trees. The methodical clearing out of aliens is the challenging yet necessary part of the process but is always an opportunity to create jobs for the locals, especially here in the Garden Route where the economy is a strongly tourist-driven one with jobs more often than not, seasonal.

And then there is our volunteer group of Very Important Planters who regularly enthusiastically jump in to assist with the “fun” part: planting the mini-forest pocket! This tiny patch of green stands as a gift to wildlife patrolling the corridor in the future – thanks to all the amazing sponsors who donated trees on behalf of another! Your gift is a gift to our wildlife!

Want to plant a tree in honour of someone special?
We have selected 11 of our favourite endemic forest tree species from which you can choose in honour or celebration of a loved one. Click here to Gift a Tree

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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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“Trees in the ground are like the candles on a birthday cake” 

Today, we brought more life and greenery to Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor in a “pocket space” previously cleared by the landowner, single pockets of rehabilitation at a time, thoughtfully cleared beforehand for our planting efforts.

This particular planting session was extra special as our focus was both planting out a new bio-mimicked forest pocket in the corridor on behalf of all our individual sponsors while celebrating our Chair’s 57th birthday.

We took the opportunity to combine the planting session with a lovely birthday celebration for Ray right by the river’s edge running through the corridor.

It was a beautiful convergence of community, nature, and celebration!

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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Planting Hope and Honoring Life in Libertas Wildlife Corridor

Planting Hope and Honoring Life in Libertas Wildlife Corridor Precious Tree Project

Our small volunteer team who pitched up to plant out another small forest pocket of endemic trees at Libertas – sponsored by Rock the Route and Pangea Trails – made a big impact today.

Adding a deeply personal touch to the forest pocket, the landowner and guardian of the corridor running though her property, planted an additional tree in honour of a young woman who tragically passed away this same week, a deeply cherished member of the landowner’s son’s family. Planting hope and honouring life!

Huge thanks, as always, to Rock the Route and Pangea Trails for their ongoing partnership and being forerunners in regenerative tourism in the Garden Route in their recognition of the need to invest in the greater Wilderness area!

And to the family, we extend our deepest sympathies; may this tree stand as a symbol of enduring love and a source of comfort.

Every tree we plant strengthens the ecosystem, and oftentimes they also serve as beautiful, living memorials, connecting nature’s renewal with heartfelt remembrance.

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.

www.rocktheroute.co.za
www.facebook.com/rocktheroute

www.pangeatrails.com
www.facebook.com/pangeatrails

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Restoring Nature’s Wildlife Pathways in Karatara

Restoring Nature's Wildlife Pathways in Karatara Precious Tree Project

We’re thrilled to share an exciting new chapter for the Precious Tree Project! We’ve begun working with a dedicated group of landowners in Karatara, nestled in the heart of the Garden Route. Among them is Mariette Carstens of Wellbeing Sanctuary, a passionate advocate for environmental restoration who is deeply invested in revitalising her property.

Mariette and her team are on a mission to transform their land; focusing on eradicating alien vegetation, reforesting areas that once thrived with indigenous trees, and crucially, creating and establishing vital wildlife corridors. The ultimate goal is the comprehensive rehabilitation of the property, restoring its natural balance and biodiversity.

The Precious Tree Project is excited to collaborate with them on this journey of identifying and rehabilitating existing and potential wildlife corridors that weave through their land. These natural pathways are essential for the movement and survival of local wildlife, connecting fragmented habitats and promoting genetic diversity.

This collaboration in Karatara marks the initial stages of a broader vision: to engage neighbouring landowners in these vital conservation efforts to establish a network of restored land, all working together to create a thriving ecosystem.

Finding the funding for clearing and restoring can be a challenge, Mariette and her team are incredibly resourceful. They’re exploring creative ways to fund their conservation efforts, including exciting initiatives like the upcoming ECOLUTION FESTIVAL in October. This unique festival is more than music and good vibes — it’s a hands-on journey into ecological connection and environmental action. Click here for more info and tickets!

We’re also very grateful for the donor support that has already made a tangible difference. A beautiful mini endemic forest pocket was recently planted on the property, sponsored by the participants of the Beach Team Volleyball Challenge (December 2024) held on the Main Wilderness Beach to raise funds for us. It’s inspiring to see how community events can directly contribute to environmental restoration.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important work in Karatara, nurturing nature’s pathways and fostering biodiversity and a healthier & connected environment for all.

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WALEAF Advancing in Fight for Wildlife Corridors

WALEAF Wildlife Corridor George Herald

“Wildlife corridors in the Wilderness area are under immense pressure and are being gradually destroyed as a result of development and alien invasive vegetation, but ongoing efforts of the Touw River Conservancy (TRC) and Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum (Waleaf) to turn the tide around are bearing fruit.

For one, a new by-law was passed by George Municipality in 2023 to limit the fencing of properties in the rural landscape in order to reduce the blocking of corridors and restriction of wildlife movement.

This by-law was a direct result of Waleaf continually lobbying the municipality.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by SaveWild last week, Waleaf chairperson Melissa Dalton said the by-law determines that a property owner may not fence the entire perimeter of their property, only around the development footprint.”

Click here to read the full article in the George Herald.

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Capitalising on Green

Capitalising on Green

The rehabilitation process of a corridor is not a quick one… it is labour intensive, takes commitment and is a costly exercise, so sponsorship towards the corridor is a necessary and welcome one. Terebinth Capital, who prides themselves on responsible investment, turned 10 years old and, in honour of their clients, invested in a mini-indigenous forest pocket in our Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor. We say thank you! 

Responsible Investment – Terebinth Capital

If you would like to sponsor an indigenous South African forest tree towards our wildlife corridors in the Garden Route click here – OR – visit https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/precioustreeproject.

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Collaborating for Nature

The Touw River Conservancy (TRC) is a local conservation body focused on increased conservation efforts on private and municipal property in the Greater Wilderness Area. Much of their volunteer efforts in conservation are geared towards clearing invasive vegetation as a first level priority step in any rehabilitation or reforestation process. Clearing invasive trees is a labour intensive process and a labour of love by the TRC team who put their own time and effort into it.

The TRC has been clearing a site in Wilderness Heights which has been identified as one of many vital corridors for wildlife in the area, most of which are shrinking as a result of rising higher density development in the area and overrun by non-indigenous invasive vegetation. This site used to be an old cattle dip for the farmers many years ago, but neglected from disuse as farms were subdivided into smallholdings. It become heavily infested with pine, wattle gum, bugweed, to name a few of the highly invasive non-indigenous species dominating the competition for space and water.

In 2022, the TRC joined the George Municipality’s Adopt-a-Spot program whereby it has undertaken to continue to clear, maintain and rehabilitate the site – now recognised as a heritage site in the Garden Route. When Precious Tree Project was donated funds by the Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) and George Tourism as part of the Wilderness Centenary and Beautification Project, we allocated the funds towards planting out in a mini-forest pocket on the site.

Since many of the leaves of indigenous trees are a vital food source for many of the wildlife species in the area, irrespective of the age of the tree, we got creative in our tree protection methods structures giving the trees time to take root and ground themselves.

A big round of applause to the TRC and its committee members involved in the rehabilitation of this site and for all those local community members who joined in and gave a helping hand on the day.

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

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A New Rehabilitation Story – Eastbrook Wildlife Biodiversity Corridor

eastbrook wildlife biodiversity corridor precious tree project

Our rehabilitation & assisted reforestation efforts are targeted at existing identified as well as potential new wildlife corridors spanning the area between Wilderness and Sedgefield. We have now added a third wildlife corridor rehabilitation project into our Projects portfolio – the Eastbrook Wildlife Corridor, in Karatara.

The corridor passes through a number of privately owned pieces of property, so buy in and collaboration with landowners is key. The corridor is significant as it runs between the Karatara and Hoegekraal Rivers, giving wildlife access to vital water sources that are often cut off as a result of impenetrable or electrified fences erected around property boundaries.

A big thank you to Chrissy Bosman for recognizing the need to restore biodiversity, protect and rehabilitate the wildlife corridors in her area, as well as for her commitment to helping us achieve our own long term vision.

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

Check out the YouTube video below!