Go treeplanting in Hogsback this Arbor month

In light of September being Arbour Month, Greenpop is pleased to announce the Hogsback Reforest Fest!

Much like the Platbos Reforest Fest that occurred this past May, the Hogsback Reforest Fest aims to celebrate our Earth and our trees through reforestation, music, workshops, competitions, and yoga.

Happening in the magical Amathole Mountains in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa from 12-14 September to plant lots of indigenous trees, enjoy some of the finest live music around, have loads of fun, and create some unforgettable memories!

Join Lord of the Rings & help the forest

Rumoured to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the Amathole Mountain Range is home to a rich forest community, with 1215 species of plants and a number of endangered and at-risk species, including the Cape Parrot, the Amathole toad, and the Samango monkey.

Unfortunately, due to overexploitation of the forest reserves, the range of the indigenous Yellowwood and Sneezewood trees has shrunk severely, causing a huge environmental impact. The area also suffers from the predominance of several invasive plant species, which have caused a reduction in habitat, reduced water runoff, accelerated soil erosion, and more.

Reliance Compost and Terra-Khaya Family & Eco Lodge have teamed up with Greenpop for the first Reforest Fest in the area. Join in planting thousands of indigenous trees in an effort to raise awareness about the disturbed forest communities in the area.

Not only will this festival inspire all to attend to get active (not anxious) about a sustainable and thrivable future – it’s a festival that the whole family can enjoy! Starting on Friday 12 September, festival-goers will gather in Hogsback for a delicious dinner on the Friday night and a selection of chilled, family-friendly, live music.

2000 indigenous trees to restore habitat of endangered species

After a wholesome breakfast on the Saturday morning (provided at the fest), all in attendance will commence a day of tree planting at the site near Terra-Khaya Family & Eco Lodge - we will plant close to 2000 indigenous trees! In the evening, festival goers will enjoy dinner together with a view of the magical Hogsback valley, followed by a night of dancing beneath the stars.

Finally, the whole of Sunday will be a time to chill and explore the area, or experience one of the many activities to be organized by Greenpop – including yoga, forest walks, presentations on environmental issues, and a chance to
visit the tallest Yellowwood tree in South Africa!

Greenpop has hosted Reforest Fests in the Platbos Forest Reserve for 4 years running, and the response has been phenomenal. People have come together from around South Africa and the world to get active about the future of our planet. They are always looking forward to meeting like-minded people with whom we can share, learn and connect in beautiful parts of our country – in the process facilitating long-term social and environmental change, through high-impact work.

Plant trees and have fun doing it – it’s a treevolution

Tickets

Tickets range from R330 to R520 and are available here.

Tickets include:

• festival entry
• 6 meals (Friday dinner - Sunday lunch)
• trees & tools
• live music (DJs and musical artists)
• various activities (to be announced)

Transport to and from Cape Town on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can also be purchased on Webtickets.

**Tickets exclude accommodation (you need to book your own camping spaces or other accommodation separately. Email tickets@greenpop.org for a full list of recommendations.

Green Times is looking for a journalist who would like a free ticket to represent us at the Hogsback Reforest Fest and cover the event. Please write to writers@thegreentimes.co.za if you are keen.

About Greenpop:

Greenpop is on a mission to (re)connect people with our planet by planting trees & having fun doing it. Greenpop plants trees in urban greening & reforestation projects & hosts green events, educational workshops, & festivals of action to
inspire people to get active about a sustainable future.

Embark on a journey with Greenpop, and join the treevolution today!