Reforestation Project

The Garden Route, along South Africa's southeastern coast, is famous for its diverse landscapes, from lush forests to dramatic cliffs and golden beaches. Alien vegetation poses a significant threat by displacing native flora and negatively affecting the ecosystem.

Reforestation

Overview:

Location The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Duration From 2 - 12 weeks
Dates All year round
Requirements
  • You must have an Intermediate level (B1) of English
  • Special skills: You must be physically fit, willing to work and to get your hands dirty.
Minimum Age: 18
Your impact
Documents required Enrolment form, curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, passport copy, proof of medical insurance
Day of arrival Sunday
Day of departure Sunday

Highlights

  • Help the fight for natural vegetation to combat the threat of alien vegetation to the local ecosystem and water stability, by giving your time to assist our teams in the field.
  • Immerse yourself in the heart of South Africa's indigenous Afrotemperate Forest and fynbos biomes.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of South Africa's complex history and global challenges.
  • Experience the many areas of natural beauty in the immediate Plettenberg Bay region and broader Garden Route district.
  • Choose from a long list of outdoor and adventure activities to add to your experience – the world’s highest bridge bungy jump, ziplining, MTB trials, swimming with seals, marine safaris, river-rafting, skydiving, and many more.
  • Enjoy a comfortable, busy, yet supportive home-stay environment, surrounded by open agricultural pastures and indigenous forests away from the usual routine of urban living.
  • Make new friends from all over the world.

Project information

The conservation aspect of this project focuses on alien invasive plant species removal and forest regeneration.

You will assist the indigenous forest, mountain fynbos, and coastal shrub biomes to thrive which, in turn, assists the animal kingdom in having prime real estate. Main aims of the project are:

  • biodiversity restoration,
  • encouraging natural corridors for all-natural life,
  • education and awareness,
  • community involvement,
  • job creation for the local community,
  • research and monitoring.

 

Your role

Volunteers play a vital role in restoring the ecological balance and protecting the region's rich biodiversity and will

  • learn to identify and remove invasive plant species,
  • receive training in proper removal techniques,
  • participate in ecological monitoring,
  • engage in manual labour for alien vegetation removal,
  • assist with growing and planting indigenous seedlings for reforestation efforts.

Daily tasks vary by season and project needs. Your main responsibilities will involve:

  • removal of alien vegetation by sustainable and ethical practice – by hand and machinery (training and certification provided),
  • seeding and planting of indigenous species back into cleared land according to environmental,
  • impact assessments.

A routine programme from Monday to Friday could be as follows:

06:30 – 7:30      Breakfast & lunch packing
07:40 – 08:00    Transfer from your accommodation to the project site
08:00 – 12:00    Reforestation tasks
12:00 – 14:00    Lunch break
14:00 – 17:00    Reforestation tasks
17:00                Return transfer to your accommodation
18:00 - 18h30   Dinner

Weekends:
Any public holidays, whether falling on weekdays or weekends, will follow the Saturday/Sunday routine unless prior arrangements have been made. Friday evenings are our traditional braai (BBQ) evenings.
Saturdays and Sundays are free days.

It is important to note that this description serves as an example only. The daily tasks and challenges depend on the volunteer, the time of year and the work that needs to be done. The final job description can therefore vary substantially from the above.

Accommodation

The accommodation is set in a 5-hectare small-holding amidst indigenous forest and open grazing pastures in The Crags and about 25 minutes from the main town of Plettenberg Bay.

You are accommodated in fully equipped, shared two-bed rooms, with bedding & towel provided, so might be sharing with another volunteer of the same gender. There are numerous bathrooms for communal access and use. Volunteers have full use of the well-equipped kitchen plus the two verandah areas - with large fire-places. It is here that guests and hosts gather for social interaction and where evening meals are served for all to enjoy.
A large group entertainment area, complete with an under-cover combination plunge-pool/hot tub, a bar facility plus an outdoor braai (BBQ) area, is provided. Friday is officially declared as “Braai day” with local residents visiting for sundowners and a braai to mark the end of the week with the team and guests. The property also provides a golf practice putting green and a proper boule/petanque track.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the main homestead and entertainment areas only.

Three daily meals are provided. You will make your own breakfast and lunch.

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