Re-Cover Wild

13/06/2024

WESSA Lowveld newsletter is out! Here is a taster, with pages 1-6 and 12.

13/06/2024

Our main project site on Klipinnibos Nature Farm as well as a section on the neighbouring farm.

We are restoring ecosystems through clearing many hectares of invasive alien trees and supporting the landscape to regrow its natural vegetation, be it grassland, forest, wetland or bush.

The small blue polygons inside the large orange are our waterways/springs/wetlands being restored, the small yellow is a dry wetland that still needs to be cleared and revived. The large blue polygon is the project on the neighbouring property where we are clearing a stand of Eucalyptus that will be restored back to high altitude grassland.

This kind of work is not a one year or two year project.

It is a multi decade commitment.

Join the action! Watch this space for upcoming Fun Restoration Weekends.

13/06/2024

We are a proud WESSA Lowveld Friends Group. Joining forces to help nature heal.

28/05/2024

Let's join WESSA Lowveld for Conservation Talks at the Botanical Gardens in Nelspruit on the 7th of June.
🌿🌿🌿
"For the past 97 years, WESSA has been the leading environmental and wildlife organisation in Southern Africa."
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https://wessa.org.za/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/WESSAlowveld

Ecosystem Restoration in Schoemanskloof, Mpumalanga.

19/01/2024

Let's recover some of the treescapes that we have lost.

15/12/2023

Steps to Restoring Grassland:

1) First the invasive gumtrees have to go.
2) Then follow up by spraying coppice regrowth
2.1) Wait
3) Follow up again to spray coppice regrowth.
4)Wait for the rain.
5) Start hand weeding wattle and gum seedlings popping up.
6) Allow the piled branches to decompose, bringing in critters and giving seating to birds who drop seeds in their p**p.
7)Wait for more rain.
8)See the grasses sprouting through the decomposing gum leaves.
9)Wait
10) Where it looks like grass is not sprouting because there is no seed bank left, harvest seed nearby or buy appropriate indigenous grass seed and sow.
....and so it continues.

15/12/2023

Yesss... Let's get busy.

08/12/2023

A great podcast episode about how and why trees migrate, forest-human connection, and invasive pests.

This week, we’ve adapted the interactive multimedia feature “They Carry Us With Them: The Great Tree Migration” for our podcast. Written by Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder, this story delves into changing patterns of tree migration in Maine, tracing the threats faced by black ash forests. As she fol...

23/11/2023

Call for volunteers: 2024
Ecosystem Restoration in Mpumalanga.

We are busy clearing many hectares of invasive alien trees and restoring those areas to either grassland or forest, depending on the location. At the same time, we are continuously building creative infrastructure to position our space as a nature retreat centre. Building hiking trails, meditation spots etc.

We are looking for individuals with experience in basic carpentry and/or knowledge of setting up a small rustic tree nursery and growing native trees from seed or cuttings. A person who is also comfortable working with herbicide to spray felled eucalyptus regrowth, or spending a few days at a time weeding invasive wattle tree saplings in areas being restored.

Exchange: 5 hour day, 5 days per week: Basic food stores supplied for DIY cooking at the volunteer camp, as well as one communal cooked lunch on weekdays.

Accommodation: Camping: Tent, mattress and bedding supplied. Functional funky outdoorsy kitchen. Solar heated pipe shower and sawdust humanure toilets.

Ideal candidate would be a digital nomad, thus someone who is self-sufficient. Wifi and workspace available. 21 years or older. We have the capacity for 3 people at any one time.
The site is very remote. 70km from the nearest big town on an 18km dirt road. Ideal for someone who embraces quiet, serene nature (not for party animals).

1 month stay with a possible 2nd month depending on the compatibility.

Please DM me if you have questions regarding this opportunity and/or a motivating letter if the above description feels like you, and then we can arrange a call to see if it is a fit.

🌿
Lisa

Ecosystem Restoration in Schoemanskloof, Mpumalanga.

11/11/2023

11/11/2023

Re-Cover Wild was born out of necessity: The need to repair damaged land, the need to help wildlife find a place again, the need to feel like I am making a positive difference in the world, as well as the need to connect with other humans who want the same.

Based at Klipinnibos Nature Farm, Mpumalanga, this project has been clearing many hectares of invasive trees to restore those areas to either grassland, bush or forest, depending on the location. Some of the clearing is done by timber harvesters, and some by our tiny in-house team. All maintenance and follow-up work is done by us, as well as the generous time and energy given by volunteers, both South African and international.

It is a long-term commitment.

Contact me, Lisa, if you also feel a need to make a difference by volunteering with us for a few weeks.

Also keep a lookout for the WholeSome Weekends hosted at Klipinnibos Nature Farm: an experience weekend of camping, creativity, working outdoors, and learning about ecosystem restoration.