Greenpop plans to host two reforestation festivals in the Platbos forest during May

For the third year running, Greenpop will be hosting The Reforest Fest in Platbos forest. This reforestation effort has seen over 3000 indigenous trees being planted in the southern-most forest of Africa since 2010. This year Greenpop plans to host two strong reforestation efforts during May and aims to plant 4000 trees.

Platbos, a relic forest with 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 near Gansbaai in the Overberg region, 1½ hours from Cape Town. To see the forest on the map, click on this maplink: http://g.co/maps/86p7f

Like many natural forests around the world, parts of Platbos have been cleared over the past decades for cultivation. Today, many of these cleared areas are being taken over by dense invasive alien vegetation, which pose a serious fire risk to the forest.

In response to this issue, Melissa and Francois Krige of Platbos have launched the Trees for Tomorrow reforestation programme. Through this, endemic seeds are harvested from the forest, reared in the Platbos Forest Tree Nursery and then replanted to extend and grow the forest. It’s important to plant these endemic trees because they are adapted to drought and serve as an important food source for the bird and animal species that live here.

Greenpop is a social business that believes greening and sustainable living can be fun, POPular and accessible for all. Greenpop has therefore partnered with Reliance Compost in order to host the third annual Reforest Fest. The festival will aim to protect and grow the ancient forest through two reforestation festivals, where tree-planting efforts are coupled with fun activities and opportunity for volunteers to experience and enjoy the forest. Of the last festival, a volunteer stated: “It was really great to feel part of a community that was purposeful and that was having fun at the same time.”

Greenpop has therefore partnered with Reliance Compost, as well as Green Shebeen, BOS Iced tea, Levis and Rodgers Fruiters and various other partners and musicians to make the Reforest Fest 2013 a success. Due to the popularity of the event in the previous years and the need for reforestation efforts, the Reforest Fest is happening twice during May 2013.

The first is a FAMILY fest (weekend of 10th, 11th and 12th May), which will be suitable for family and people of all ages. It will have relaxing and fun music on the Saturday evening that will end at 10:30pm and varied fun/ educational activities for kids, teens and adults.

The second is a FRIENDS fest (weekend of 17th, 18th & 19th May), which will have more upbeat dancing music on the Saturday evening (a forest party that will end at 2am-ish or later) and varied active and restful activities on the Sunday. This is also open to people of all ages, but parents must be aware of the Saturday night party.
Ticket prices and specials:

Tickets are R550 (R350 for children under 12). This includes camping, all meals, great music, tools, fun activities and trees for the reforestation effort. In bookings of 6 the cheapest ticket will be free.

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. Information on this option can be offered by emailing tickets@greenpop.org.

Tickets for the festivals are limited as it is an intimate affair – bookings can be made by filling in this online form: http://goo.gl/s8MQZ .