Next weekend, 9-11 May 2014, will see the first weekend of the Platbos Reforest Fest take place just outside of Gansbaai. The Reforest Fest will take place over two weekends in May – the Family Fest from 9-11 May, and the Friends Fest from 16-18 May. At the Family Fest Greenpop will be planting 3000-4000 trees in the ancient Platbos Forest and there will also be many other fun and educational forest activities for all ages.
“Forests have always looked after humanity: now it is our turn to look after the forests. The Reforest Fests have become an integral part of our project, and the love and joy that they bring to the forest each May is a huge gift that nurtures the roots of this future forest, replanted in the land that was once its home.” Melissa Krige, Platbos Conservancy
Now in its fourth year, Greenpop’s annual Reforest Fest has led to the planting of over 8000 trees, native to South Africa’s southern most indigenous forest, Platbos. This year, Greenpop have set themselves the target of doubling this figure, and aim to plant a further 8000 trees across the two weekends.
Platbos, a relic forest containing many trees of over 1000 years of age, forms part of one of the rare and endangered ecosystems of the Western Cape and has a unique mix of indigenous trees from coastal and mountainous regions. The ancient forest is situated between Gansbaai and Stanford in the Overberg region. Like many natural forests around the world, parts of Platbos have been cleared over the past decades for cultivation and today, many of these cleared areas are being taken over by dense invasive alien vegetation, which pose a serious fire risk to the forest.
Both Reforest festivals taking place in May are suitable for people of all ages and will have activities, tasty food, great music, yoga and tree-planting. However the two festivals will be slightly different:
The first is of the two weekends is a FAMILY fest (from the 9th to the 11th of May), which will be suitable for families of all ages. It will have a relaxing and fun music vibe on the Saturday evening that will end around 10:30pm and will also feature varied educational activities for kids, teens and adults.
Some of these activities include:
• Hula hooping
• Forest walks
• Yoga and tree meditation
• Interactive musical sessions and instrument making
• Arts and crafts
The second weekend is a FRIENDS fest (from the 16th to the 18th of May), which will have more of an upbeat dancing festival atmosphere on the Saturday evening (a forest party that will end at 2am-ish or later). This exciting party includes live music to soul-filled DJ sets from some of South Africa’s coolest music talent.
The Sunday after will offer more of a restful vibe, with varied activities, again including forest walks, yoga and meditation. Although this is also open to people of all ages, parents must be aware of the Saturday night party and assess the suitability of this in regards to the age of their children.
Tickets for the event are R590 (R390 for children under 12), which includes camping, all meals (Fri din to Sun lunch), great music, yoga, forest walks, tools, fun activities and trees for the reforestation effort. In bookings of 6 or more, the cheapest ticket will be free. You can also book alternative accommodation nearby.
People who are unable to afford a ticket are encouraged to raise Trees for Tickets by setting up an activist portal on GivenGain and raising 10 trees for their ticket. For information on this option plus all ticketing and booking enquiries contact tickets@greenpop.org
Buy tickets via Webtickets here.
Website – www.greenpop.org
Facebook – www.facebook.com/GreenpopTreevolution
Twitter – @GreenpopSA
GreenpopTreevolution Youtube channel
Images: Sydelle Willow Photography
