Greenpop launches its 7th annual Platbos Reforest Fest

In March 2017, Greenpop will be hosting their 7th annual Reforest Fest in the ancient Platbos Forest Reserve. But this isn’t just your ordinary festival! It is a chance to (re)connect with yourself as well as your fellow humans and with nature. Festival goers can help plant thousands of trees, dance to amazing live music, learn from eco-workshops and also eat delicious food and much more. Join them for a weekend of positive action and celebration!

What is the Reforest Fest?

Each year, Greenpop hosts the Reforest Fest over two weekends.  Last year, Greenpop planted 8000 trees at Reforest Fest and this year they aim to plant another 8000 trees!

The first is the Family Weekend (March 10-12), created for parents and children to connect in nature while planting trees and to enjoy great family entertainment and participate in activities for all ages. As well, you’ll be able to unplug for some quality family time in the great outdoors and learn lessons about the planet that will last a lifetime.

The second is the Friends Weekend (March 17-19),  which is ideal for people who would like to get their hands dirty and make positive impact for the environment. As well as planting thousands of trees, fest goers will enjoy eco-talks, yoga, live music and much more. Friends Weekend activities and talks are more tailored to adults, but all ages are welcome at both festival weekends!

(Re)connect with yourself

Photograph by: Johnny Miller from Millefoto

Both Reforest Fest weekends are held in the beautiful Platbos Forest Reserve, this is a 2.5 hours drive away from Cape Town in the Overberg region.

Part of the beauty of Reforest Fest is camping under the stars, so bring a tent and camp in our general campsite. Vehicles will not be allowed in the general campsite, though there will be a section for camper vans and roof-top tents. There also will be tents available for rent. So come and get close to nature in Platbos!

Meals are available for purchase from a number of excellent vegan and vegetarian food vendors. Greenpop encourages fest goers to buy from these delicious stalls, as there will be no self-catering facilities available. You are welcome to bring your own food as well, but campfires will not be allowed. Meal prices range between R25-R40 for breakfast, R40-60 for lunch, R50-R80 for dinner. Cash is king as there are no ATMs or card machines in the forest.

What is the Platbos Reforestation Project?

Platbos Forest is one of the few surviving indigenous forests in South Africa, filled with ancient Milkwood trees, some of which are up to 1000 years old. However, this forest is under threat due to deforestation. Parts of the forest have been cleared, making way for invasive plant species which outcompete the indigenous tree species. Thousands of indigenous tree species are planted at the Platbos Reforest Fest, this helps to firstly improve the water table of the area, secondly minimize the risk of fires, and lastly provide habitat for indigenous plant and animal species.

The annual Greenpop Reforest Fest collaborates with the Trees for Tomorrow reforestation programme which is run by Melissa and Francois Krige of Platbos. This programme focuses on (re)connecting people with the forests, and helping to restore the health of the Platbos forest to its original abundance. There have been nearly 35,000 trees planted through the Friends and Family weekends to date, and they have an overall 85% survival rate!

“Platbos Reforest Fest truly is Greenpop’s mission in action: (re)connecting people with nature, and getting active (not anxious) for the planet, all in an ancient indigenous forest. Together, we are able to see the thriving trees we planted in previous years and get our hands dirty to add to this beautiful project. It is quite the thing to be with inspiring people doing awe-inspiring work in a place that is this awesome. We are not separate from nature. We are nature. I hope to see you there in 2017.”

– Misha Teasdale, Tree-E-O of Greenpop

Ticket Prices

In an effort to promote inclusivity, Greenpop is trying something new this year and offering tiered adult ticket prices this means that festival goers can choose to purchase either a Generosity ticket, a Regular ticket or a Subsidised ticket. They ask that those who can afford it should purchase Generosity ticket. For each Generosity ticket purchased, Greenpop will be able to offer a Subsidised ticket to someone would be unable to afford to attend otherwise.

• Be TREEmendous with an Adult Generosity ticket: R500
• Adult Regular ticket: R390
• Adult Subsidised ticket: R280
• Children under 12: R220  
• Children under four: free

Ticket Add-Ons

Greenpop is encouraging festival-goers to carpool to reduce their impact on the environment. For those who would prefer to travel with Greenpop, they are offering a Weekender Road Trip ticket option, which includes a festival ticket, transport to and from the festival and Cape Town and shared space in a rental tent.  

• Weekender Road Trip ticket: R1,100

Greenpop also has a limited number of 2 and 3 person tents on offer for those who might not have their own.

Win Free Tickets

Want to win some free tickets to Reforest Fest? Greenpop will running some amazing competitions leading up to the event, so make sure you are following them online to stay tuned and get excited!

Find all then infromation you need to know below:

The Reforest Festivals take place in the Platbos forest in the Overberg in the Western Cape. The two festivals are running as follows: Family weekend from the 10th to to the 12th of March 2016.  And our Friends weekend starting on the 17th through to the 19th of March 2016. Why not go to both! Find out more about our Family Weekend and Friends Weekend on Facebook. For more information on tickets, see below:

Family weekend: bit.ly/RFfamily17
Friends weekend: bit.ly/RFfriends17

If you want to collaboate with Greenpop at our Reforest Fests, please contact Justine via email: [email protected] for event sponsorship opportunities.

Be a Treevolutionary with Greenpop in 2017 at our Platbos Reforest Festivals!