Partnering with such a variety of eclectic organisations that are active in environmental restoration and conservation in numerous different shapes and forms leaves us feeling immensely inspired and motivated to remain active, and not get anxious. Today, we’re celebrating the efforts of the Boland Forests For Life Pledge Fund, a collective of partners who have supported our forest restoration work to great lengths over the years, alongside their mission to protect and conserve the Cape Honey Bee species.

Honey bees are essential to environmental harmony and global food security, pollinating over 75% of the world’s leading food crops and floral landscapes. Our unique Cape honey bee species is responsible for pollinating around 50 different crops alone, some of which are among South African favourites such as avocados, apples, naartjies, and even coffee! The Western Cape is one of the most diverse and prosperous honey-producing regions in the world due to its unique flora and hard-working Cape honey bees. However, the Western Cape suffers from climate change implications and poor agricultural practices that have led to a major loss in honey bee forage and habitat. 

Recognising the severity and complexity of the environmental harm that the local wine industry was having on the environment of the Western Cape, Boland Cellar is committed to minimising their footprint and giving back to the landscape in their fullest capacity – and so, this marked the inception of the Boland Forests For Life Pledge Fund. 

Several companies and organisations have joined forces to support the planting of indigenous, bee-friendly trees for our Cape honey bees. By restoring forests that are vital to the survival of these essential pollinators, we are expanding their forage and habitat—helping the species thrive while also improving water conservation, enhancing climate resilience, and supporting sustainable farming for the future.

This project has been brought to life through our work here at Greenpop, and we’re incredibly proud of the meaningful impact we’ve achieved together so far. We’re both inspired by and deeply grateful for this bee-e-a-utiful collective of dedicated Pledge Partners, whose shared commitment continues to conserve, restore, and sustain our local environment.

How the Boland Pledge Partners are Being Proactive

The Boland Forests for Life Pledge Fund kicked off in 2020 and has since grown to include Nedbank, Nuxe, Topfruit, and Pink Lady Apples, and of course, Boland Cellars themselves. This collective has been thoroughly driven in its commitment to helping us restore degraded forest areas, uplift biodiversity, and provide crucial forage for our bees. Over 6700 trees have been planted collectively so far, and the pledge fund continues to grow, spreading awareness and action across the country.

Boland Cellar 

The initial pledge fund was proudly spearheaded by Boland Cellar in Paarl, who made an incredible R100,000 donation and issued a powerful call to action. Taking their commitment even further, they launched the pioneering Melita wine range—named after the Latin word for “honey-sweet.” With its beautifully delicate label design and its dedication to a vital cause, the Melita range is a true standout, raising both funds and awareness for the protection of our honeybees. To date, Boland has planted over 4000 bee-friendly trees through their pledge fund and contributed significantly to holistic forest restoration efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nedbank

Joining forces in these strides towards environmental sustainability, Nedbank’s Agricultural Division in the Western Cape has committed to planting 100 bee-friendly trees per year with the Boland Forests For Life Pledge Fund. As part of the WWF Sustainable Agriculture Programme, Nedbank understands the importance of environmental restoration, specifically as it relates to healthy agricultural practices. 

“At Nedbank, we believe we have a significant role to play in driving sustainable development and in particular a responsibility to help the agricultural sector evolve to a more efficient and productive model through sustainable agricultural practices.”  Daneel Rossouw,  Nedbank Divisional Agriculture Manager. 

NUXE

Beauty and cosmetics brand NUXE joined the Boland Forests for Life Pledge Fund in 2021, committing to support Greenpop’s reforestation efforts and the protection of our bees. Deeply rooted in a holistic approach to sustainability, NUXE actively works to minimise its social and environmental impact through sustainable sourcing, eco-conscious packaging, inclusive employment practices, and biodiversity protection.

Having sponsored beehives in their home country of France, NUXE has now expanded its eco-commitments to a global scale—raising both funds and awareness for South Africa’s honey bees. Through their Rêve de Miel® range, NUXE celebrates the nourishing power of honey while directly contributing to reforestation. To date, over 200 trees have been planted through this range alone—an incredible boost for the Cape honey bee.

“Our focus on conservation of the Cape Honey Bee stems from a desire to bring our international brand’s values to our own territory. With beeswax & honey being 2 key ingredients in our award-winning Rêve de Miel (Dream of Honey) range, Nuxe has always pursued ways to ensure responsible sourcing of these ingredients and, more importantly, conservation of this precious creature.” Helene Cloete, NUXE Brand Manager.

Topfruit

Topfruit is an international leader in cultivar management and is driven by a commitment to innovation and excellence in fruit genetics. Their values lie in conservation and sustainability in the agricultural sector to benefit every part of the supply chain.

 Agriculture is heavily reliant on pollinators, and honey bees play a vital role in ensuring healthy harvests and food security. TopFruit recognises the essential contribution of honey bees to their fruit production and is deeply aware of the many challenges these pollinators face—from habitat loss and climate change to disease and pesticide exposure. By supporting initiatives that protect and restore bee habitats, TopFruit is taking meaningful steps to safeguard the future of both pollinators and sustainable agriculture.

“We are committed to the survival of our honey bees. Together with other pollinators, they form an integral part of our agricultural industry. As a company that values sustainability and environmental conservation, we want to make a positive impact on our planet, and this Bee-friendly initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal.” – Liza Matthews, Topfruit Marketing Manager. 

Having planted over 1000  trees with this partnership, Topfruit is further committed to environmental education as part of this initiative and aims to raise awareness of the importance of honey bees in orchards and natural ecosystems. 

Pink Lady® Apples

Pollinating insects, and bees in particular,  have a major effect on the quality of orchard fruits that we eat, including the famous Pink Lady® Apples. This widely-beloved brand has a deep understanding of the role that bees play in the cultivation of apple crops. Their unwavering commitment to bee protection is seen in their very own Bee Pink Programme that integrates agro-ecological infrastructure around their orchards. 

Expanding its conservation efforts, Pink Lady® Apples continues to show its support year after year.  With their help, we have planted over 450  trees and enhanced a host of varying ecosystem services.

Together for a Buzzing, Greener Future

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the Boland Forests for Life Pledge Fund. Your continued support has been instrumental in protecting our vital pollinators. Each pledge represents a meaningful and sustainable step toward securing the future of these tiny creatures—and the enormous role they play in our ecosystems.

A special thanks to Boland Cellar, Nedbank, NUXE, TopFruit, and Pink Lady® Apples for leading the way with outstanding company conservation efforts. Your commitment sets a powerful example and inspires other businesses to join the journey toward a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.

Read more about our Forests For Life programme here and get your own company to join the TREEvolution today!