DESPITE THEIR SIZE, THEY ARE RICH IN BIODIVERSITY. 

In fact, they have the highest biodiversity of any temperate forested region in the world (up to seven times richer in tree species than any other forests in the southern hemisphere). 

YOU’LL FIND SPECIES LIKE THE IRONWOOD, YELLOWWOOD, STINKWOOD, ASSEGAI AND WHITE PEAR. ALONG THE STREAMS, THE DOMINANT SPECIES ARE AFRICAN HOLLY, WILD ALMOND AND ‘ROOIELS’. 

THAT’S WHY WE PROTECT OUR FORESTS AND RE-ESTABLISH FOREST POCKETS IN THE RIGHT SPOTS. 

We carefully remove a small number of young seedlings from the forest without damaging existing forest ecosystems. ​In our nursery, we nurture around 2,000 indigenous trees from seedlings – and we use these in our forest rehabilitation. 

HERE’S HOW WE GO ABOUT IT:

​The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy has adopted an unusual approach to forest restoration.

​We use INVASIVE SPECIES to shelter the young trees as they’re planted. In a natural situation, older indigenous trees would offer that shelter. But without these pioneer trees, invasive black wattle stands facilitate the recovery of our natural forests.
 
The alien trees are taken out and used once the shade-loving indigenous trees become more dominate – and create their own canopy.
 
This approach is now being rolled out at a number of sites in the conservancy. 

WE ARE ALSO AN OFFICIAL REFORESTATION
​SITE OF THE TREES FOR TOURISM PROGRAMME. 

In this programme (of the South African Reforestation Trust),
you can have your space in our forest secured forever, by planting a tree.
 
To plant a tree in our forest, click here.
 
Find out more about the Trees for Tourism initiative.

CONTACT THE
​GROOTVADERSBOSCH CONSERVANCY

OFFICE HOURS: Mon to Thu: 7:30am to 5pm. Friday: 730 to 4pm. We are closed every second Friday.
MTB PERMITS: Available all hours at the Office (Cash in honesty box or Snapscan)

email

[email protected]
​

phone

079 335 0269 (whatsapp)

address

Map & Directions here