Several of the SAReforest reforestation sites were close to or in the middle of devastating wildfires in the past months. The fires during this fire season were rather unusual compared to the fires of the previous years. During the winters of 2021-2024, there was a lot of rain. This caused vigorous plant growth and -as a result- massive built up of potential fuel. The winter of 2025 was suddenly exceptionally dry. Humidity was very low and the temperature was unseasonably hot as from September. The winds were very strong and changes rapidly to different directions.

In the past years, the wildfires were (to a degree) relatively easy to be brought under control. This fire season, in spite of massive fire fighting and suppression efforts, the wildfires spread rapidly and burnt enormous areas. As explained above, these fires did not come entirely unexpected and respective reforestation sites made preparations to prevent and/or mitigate any damage by wildfire

The Cederberg has been devastated by widespread fires that have burned more than 51,000 hectares of land. What began on 22 December, when a vehicle caught fire at the top of Uitkyk Pass, quickly spread through the Driehoek Valley, Welbedacht, Kliphuis, Kromrivier, Stadsaal Caves and Truitjieskraal, and continued to move through natural veld. The impact has been severe to the environment and local infrastructure and the damage done to old cedars and the planting sites is being assessed.

 

Especially the Overberg region in the Western Cape was hit very badly with the first fire that reached the edge of Platbos Forest Reserve starting end of October, well before the official start of the fire season. Subsequent fires happened around Grootbos (November), Pearly Beach (December) and Stanford (January). Several of the firelines came close to forests and reforestation sites managed by SAReforest planting sites.

And the multiday wildfire in the mountains between Barrydale and Swellendam in the Western Cape came close to the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and Nature Reserve, home to ancient undisturbed indigenous forest tracts and many new planting areas to rehabilitate mono culture plantation lands into pristine forest again.

How these fires impacted the forests and plantings sites :

Sustainable Ceder / Cederberge Wilderness area

This fire was devastating. Shifting wind directions meant the fire burned hot and fast, leaving very little in its path, even in areas that last burned less than a decade ago.

Since the Cedar trees occur over a huge area and planting sites far away and apart, a full assessment still need to take place. Research however shows that with every maj

or fire, about 17% of the remaining Clanwilliam cedars are lost.  Part of this is part of the natural cycle and depends on the age of the cedars, their location, prevailing wind and humidity during wildfires.

 

Some of the planting sites have been affected, others thankfully remain untouched. We cannot yet assess the specific damage in each respective planting site.

Sustainable Ceder’s planting techniques are focused on micro climate locations that are protected against seasonal dominant winds that you would find in open valleys. The factors that need to be taken into consideration in this relation are prevailing wind direction and humidity at the site, the specifics of the surrounding vegetation (species, height, flammability), moisture pockets, green belts and availability of excessive dead plant material adding to the fuel load.

Though, due to the above factors, it seems that most of the sapling planted in the past years under Sustainable Ceder’s program have survived, a full assessment of all the planting sites, that were inside the burnt area,  has not yet been completed. Once completed, Sustainable Ceder will provide a full report of their findings.

If anything, this fire has proven the necessity of the Sustainable Ceder project, why the work matters more than ever and why they will keep planting. As Sustainable Ceder writes:

“And yet, this is exactly why we do what we do. We will keep planting. We will learn from how this fire moved through the landscape, how some ceders survived, and where future planting can be strongest. Our work continues. We want to thank every firefighter, landowner, volunteer and partner who has assisted on the ground, offered support, and stood with this landscape during an incredibly difficult time. This work is only possible because of a community that cares deeply about the future of the Cederberg. “

Grootvadersbosch Conservancy

Some edges of old forest have been damaged by the heat of the surrounding fire but this will restore itself during the coming few years. All planting sites are unharmed. Fire breaks were in place before the fire started and surplus natural debris was removed and/or concentrated. Controlled burns of surrounding Fynbos areas took place during the last few years.

Platbos Forest Reserve /  Blomerus planting site

The whole of the core of Platbos Forest Reserve was encircled by a fire break with a width of 9 to 12 m on average, cut only two months ago and some secondary breaks around the new planting sites. The fire, that lasted three days, came up to the fire breaks where teams were in place to fight it. Though it was tough now and then to keep the fire crawling across the breaks, Platbos Forest remained unharmed, even though at some spots natural debris inside the forest was set alight as small spot-fires. This stands in contradiction with alien invasive tree stands which were set alight with spot fires that subsequently quickly expanded alongside and across the fire breaks. In spite of the devastation caused by this fire, it was beautiful to see the natural resilience of pristine indigenous forests. To create fire-free natural corridors is one of the reasons why SAReforest is planting indigenous forest. Platbos Forest Reserve is now a green area surrounded by black.

Klein River Forest and Reforestation areas.

Fire was stopped 5 km away.

Gerswolde on Farm 215 – Walkerbay Protected Area.

Fire was stopped on South side 2km away and to the North 6 km away. The effect of the controlled burns of areas around the reforest sites and fire breaks cut around the site this year did not need to be tested.

 

 

A film and photo shoot on Farm 215 also walked through our “Gerswolde” reforestation site in the reserve of Farm 215. Every step of the way what you see in this clip is land restored during the last 15 years. Farm 215 wrote this : “Every time we walk through our reforestation site, we are reminded of what patience, partnership and nature’s magic can create. What began 15 years ago as open, comatose land, cleaned from invasive vegetation, has grown into a thriving young forest mosaic teeming with numerous flora and fauna species and the architecture of a new canopy. Year after year , these trees stretch higher, knit themselves into the landscape and continue restoring biodiversity. Walk our young forest and feel regeneration beneath your feet.”

A Walk through Gerswolde

One of SAReforests partner reforestation-projets is the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy

–  https://www.gvbconservancy.co.za/ –

“Hidden away along the Langeberg Mountains, near Swellendam in South Africa, age-old towering trees cover mysterious valleys.  In between, brilliant fynbos and lush green crops creep over
mountains and land.” Watch their story here : 

The story of the Cedar that gave its name to the Mountain range where it grows is the story of the Cederberge. This critically endangered Cedar (Widdringtonia cederbergensis) is the rehabilitation focus of “Sustainable Ceder” , one of our partner-projects which aims to re-introduce 100’000 Cedars back into the Cederberg Wilderness Area (The remaining wild population is estimated at a meagre  15’000 to 20’000.  Watch the story here :

 

Klein River Cheese Farm has expanded its reforestation site to now include the whole riparian area along the Klein River. The original WPO reforestation site (an initiative by the Women Presidents Organsiation South Africa) on the Western side of the property is now connected to the original Trees for Tourism website to the East.

The reforestation area along the Klein river in brown

The Trees for Tourism site was an expanse of the last indigenous forest remnant along the Klein river, with some impressive Milkwoods and the Southernmost naturally ocurring “Real “(opregte) Yellowwood (Podacarpus latifolius). This forest remnant has been cleared from alien vegetation and where natural regrowth did not happen by itself, juvenile trees from Klein River Cheese Farms own nursery have been planted out. New saplings were also planted out at the sides of the remnant to enlarge the expanse of the forest.

 

Maggie Baletta, owner of Klein River Cheese Farm and custodian of the Klein River Forest next to a Milkwood tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Klein River area has seen massive rains lately as a result of climate change. The riverbanks and bridges repeatedly flushed away. Reforestation has shown to restrict erosion and keep the banks together.

Natural regrowth of indigenous forest along the Klein River in areas cleared from alien invasive vegetation.

What do a tour operator, a kitchen supplier, car manufacturer and a marketeer and distributor of consumer electronics have in common ?

They have all connected the number of products sold to a number of trees to be planted :

One tree for every Green Seat sold (Tourvest Destination Management), every spare car part manaufactured (Iveco), every kitchen installed (Interno) and 156 (small) consumer electronics distributed (Green Meets Africa).

GREEN MEETS AFRICA

As Green Meets Africa writes :

“We are deeply honored and proud to be members of the South African Reforestation Trust. Our membership signifies more than just an affiliation; it represents our unwavering commitment to the restoration and preservation of our country’s precious forests. By working hand in hand with this esteemed organization, we are taking proactive steps to ensure a greener and more sustainable future for South Africa.

We supply environmentally friendly consumer products with minimized packaging. We have partnered with the SA Forest Trust and pledge that for every 156 items we sell, we will plant a tree.

Be part of the solution, not part of the pollution. Being green is more than just buying ‘eco’. It is an unshakable commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. Do your little bit of good where you are; those little bits of good put together overwhelm the world. Forests are the lungs of our land.”

To date Green Meets Africa has contributed over 300 trees to the reforestation sites in the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and in the Platbos Forest Reserve.  https://greenmeetsafrica.com/green-meets-africa-goes-greener/ 

IVECO SA

IVECO SA (Pty) ltd., manufacturer of Trucks, has a continuous campaign promoting sustainable, cost-effective spare parts :

“IVECO-Reman” -NATURALLY Powerful, ENVIRONMENTALLY Friendly-.

Iveco writes : “Iveco parts are now even greener thanks to our reforestation project. For every Reman part sold, we will plant a tree in partnership with SAReforest“. IVECO Reman parts are remanufactured using some stringent environmentally friendly processes that ensure high quality, costs-effective parts for your vehicle that run like new.”

To date, Iveco has planted over 700 trees.

https://www.iveco.com/SouthAfrica/Special-Offers/Pages/aftermarket-reman.aspx

TOURVEST DESTINATION MARKETING

Tourvest Destination Marketing is one of SAReforest’s oldest partners. The Green Seat program was implemented in 2012 to offer the Tourvest clients products that care for the planet, its people, its nature and its wildlife.

Being in Tourism, Tourvest deeply realizes that in their industry, there should be a clear focus on on our natural resources including our wildlife and our indigenous forests.

Green Seat donations are divided between the Endangered Wildlife Trust, African Home-Community Upliftment Project and the South African Reforestation Trust.

To date Tourvest has donated 3465 trees to several reforestation sites of SAReforest.

https://www.tourvestdm.com/sustainability/green-seat/

INTERENO

Kitchen manufacturer INTERENO has committed to plant a tree for every kitchen installed.

Intereno considers it very important to help to support the environment as an integral part of their business. By making kitchens, Intereno helps SAReforest to rehabilitate and expand woodlands in South Africa.

To date, Intereno has planted almost 5000 trees in the oldest reforestation site of SAReforest : Gerswolde in Farm 215 – Nature Reserve, part of the Walkerbay Protected Environment of the Walkerbay Fynbos COnservancy.

In Dutch : https://www.intereno.nl/wie-zijn-wij/co2-compensatie/

Every year, Intereno takes out a few selected clients to visit South Africa and -especually- their forest.

861 trees have been planted through the campaign of the Women Presidents’ Organisation

The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) is the ultimate affiliation for successful women entrepreneurs worldwide. There are currently 137 chapters worldwide. Each chapter of 20, serves as a peer advisory group based on the four C’s of the WPO: Collaboration, Confidentiality, Commitment and Connections.

The WPO “Plant a Forest” campaign was launched by WPO South Africa in support of SAReforest. 861 trees were planted on the special WPO Reforest site on Kein River Cheese Farm along the Klein River near Stanford in the Western Cape’s Southern Overberg. The Klein River Cheese Farm is a long-standing partner of SAReforest.

Embracing their WPO mantra of “Reaching Farther. Together” , the WPO’s campaign has had a significantl impact on the project, has supported Overberg conservation and actively invested in the tomorrow of this pristine region.

This is how the WPO communicated the importance of reforestation through their campaign  :

Trees restore ecologies. Careful and well planned re-establishment of indigenous trees results in sustainable conservation. Threatened species have a better chance of survival and entire eco-systems revive and become sustainable. Businesses who believe in sustainability, contributes to a triple bottom line, do so as more than an environmental gesture—it makes long-term economic sense.

Why is Planting Trees a Necessity?

Planting a tree is a good idea, but planting an indigenous tree as a component of a natural forest within a planned area, has the added benefit of creating a safe habitat for natural wildlife, supporting entire eco-systems, while giving clean air, protection, food and support to the smallest and biggest of living plants, insects, animals and humans.

Economic Sense – Trees Make Economic Cents

Besides preserving ecosystems, trees provide numerous services vital to our communities which can be equated to Rands and cents. Sadly, these monetary benefits are often overlooked when evaluating the worth of urban “green” infrastructure.

Economic sense – “deforestation is rarely in the economic interest of the country concerned. More often it is due to a combination of bad policies, population growth and poverty. In some parts of the world, such as the highlands of Bolivia, Peru and Nepal, and in the countryside surrounding many fast-growing cities in Africa, trees are lost because the poor use wood for fuel.” THE ECONOMIST

The WPO South Africa has left a living legacy !