The Uilenkraal Valley’s Platbos Forest holds stories of survival and resilience, boasting ancient milkwood trees, and a diverse range of plant and animal species like the Cape Leopard, bushbuck and Genet. Located in the Overberg Region, this landscape has seen centuries of transformation and degradation due to taxing agricultural practices, wind exposure, and fires. However, through intensive research, community engagement and on-the-ground work by our implementation partners, the Forests For Life Project and annual Reforest Fest are working towards getting the Uilenkraal Valley forest back to a thriving and healthier state. We warmly invite you to participate in Reforest Fest 2025 and join in advancing our restoration efforts.

“It is estimated that by preventing forest loss and taking active steps towards the restoration of degraded forests, over one-third of the total climate change mitigation that scientists say is required by 2030, could be achieved.” (Climate and Forests 2030 Report)

– Daily Maverick

Planting Vision, Blossoming impact

By providing this ancient forestland with vital support and rejuvenation, we aim to strengthen the Uilenkraal Valley’s ability to deliver crucial ecosystem services and preserve its integrity for generations to come. The ambitious green goals for restoring this landscape include enhancing biodiversity, improving water balance and strengthening the stability and health of the soil. To achieve these goals, efforts focus on supporting and funding landowners to restore 45 ha of forest, implementing regenerative farming practices at the fynbos-forest boundary, removing invasive species and reducing fire risks.

This Work Would Not be Possible Without Our Incredible Partners:

• Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
• Bodhi Khaya Retreat, Bloemerus (Purple Plum Properties)
• Platbos Forest Reserve 
• Kleinbos
• Tree Liberation Front

Watch this video for more.

Focussing On Holistic Restoration 

Indigenous forests and Fynbos are essential ecosystems in the Western Cape. Forests provide invaluable ecosystem services, such as absorbing carbon, regulating water cycles, and cooling the environment through evapotranspiration.

Platbos Forest is one of the few remaining Afromontane forests in South Africa, surviving on sandy soil without the support of surrounding rivers. That’s why we’re working hard to expand and protect it from threats like runaway wildfires, and invasive vegetation by maintaining fire breaks and increasing the presence of less fire-prone indigenous species.

“ Everything is interrelated…it’s not the price of trees that matter, but their value.”John D Liu Film-maker and ecologist

Meet the Trees!

It is believed that about 40 out of the 220 ha of this forestland was once Afromontane coastal sand forests. This year at Reforest Fest 2025, we’re getting our hands dirty with some Indigenous tree species, including:

1. White Stinkwood (Celtis africana): This tree attracts Rameron pigeons, willow warblers, black-eyed bulbuls, mousebirds, and crested barbets. These birds enjoy the tree’s fruits and play a key role in seed dispersal.
2. White Milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme): This tree attracts speckled mousebirds that eat their flowers while bats, monkeys/baboons and bush pigs eat the fruit.
3. Wild Olive (Olea europaea africana):  This tree attracts bird species such as Olive thrush, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape robin-chat, Speckled pigeon, Cape white-eye, and White-backed mousebird, as well as Rock hyrax. 
4. Red Alder/Rooiels (Cunonia capensis): A frost-resistant, fast-growing tree, featuring a non-invasive root system, this evergreen tree blooms with sweetly scented, white flowers that attract various birds, butterflies and insects. 

These trees play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, stabilising the ecosystem, and creating a lush habitat for wildlife.

Reforest Fest: The Ultimate Tree-Planting Party 

To date, a total of 145,645 trees have been planted throughout Uilenkraal Valley, and 60,000 trees as part of the FFL9 project  (a merge of our  FFL4 and FFL6 sites ), all thanks to our researchers, partners, the Greenpop family, and you! The Forests For Life project would not be complete without Reforest Fest, which sees the annual planting of 5,000 trees over just one weekend, at the event. Whether you join us at the festival, make a donation, or simply spread the word, every positive action has a powerful ripple effect. Thank you for your continuous support. Now, let’s get planting!

Reforest Fest tickets can be purchased on Quicket

18-21 April 2025 (Easter Weekend) | Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat

Photography by Juliette Bisset and Shari Lee Thompson