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KNYSNA NEWS - Thousands of indigenous species planted, one environmental mural painted, and 80 participants inspired with a series of eco-education workshops in Greenpop’s inaugural week in Eden.
Week 1
Greenpop’s seventh Festival of Action wrapped up Week 1 of their three-week programme in the Garden Route on 29 June – a thriving, active seven days of indigenous reforestation, alien vegetation clearing, eco-bricking, mural painting, as well as a series of eco-education workshops.
Almost 80 participants between ages 13 and 19, from schools across the country, flocked to Peace of Eden in Rheenendal for an immersive, educational experience in getting back to their roots and taking environmental responsibility into their own hands.
More than 1 300 trees were planted across various sites throughout the week. The focal point on 25 June was Urban Greening at Raphaeli Waldorf School in Plettenberg Bay and Conville Primary School in George, where over 319 and 22 trees were planted respectively. Sixty local volunteers joined forces at Raphaeli to assist in the process for the free open day.
The festival’s indigenous reforestation efforts ensured 500 trees being planted at both Phantom Forest and the picturesque Featherbed Nature Reserve, both of which were open days for the public to join Greenpop.
Between the many off-site activations, 27 June was a day of immersive workshops at their base camp at Peace of Eden. Students were introduced to the concepts of permaculture design, biomimicry, eco-social enterprise, mycology cultivation, and beekeeping with Hope for the Honeybees.
Week 2
During the second Schools Week of the festival, 135 participants and volunteers planted 1 261 trees, made 101 eco-bricks and painted an environmental mural on Knysna’s town hall, and take part in similar activities as in the first week.
Of the 65 participants from schools across the country, 30 were scholarship students from the Garden Route area, whose fees were covered by Bitou Municipality and Garden Route Rebuild Initiative.
More than 1 200 indigenous trees were planted across various sites throughout the week. Roughly 750 trees were planted at Heartland School of Self-Sufficiency on Wednesday 4 July, and 500 at Featherbed Nature Reserve on Friday 6 July, both of which were open days for the public to join Greenpop in their reforestation efforts.
Between the many off-site activation's, Thursday 5 July was a day of immersive workshops, much the same as Week 1, at the base camp at Peace of Eden.
More to come
At the time of going to press, Week 3 of the festival will be well under way. Greenpop will be continuing with the momentum gained though, and are calling on those keen to learn a bit more about sustainability. “We will be hosting three eco-education workshops on 12 and 13 July at Peace of Eden Lodge in Rheenendal,” said the festival’s public relations officer Skye Mallac.
Chapters that will be covered include an introduction to permaculture by Philippa Mallac (12 July), an introduction to biomimicry by Sue Swain (13 July), and a forest walk with Howard Butcher. Each four-hour workshop costs R150 and will include a delicious lunch catered by Peace of Eden Vegan Kitchen.
To end off Week 3 and the festival as a whole, a celebratory music evening will be hosted at Peace of Eden on Saturday 14 July and will feature Tony Cox, The Steezies, and an array of local musicans and DJs.
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Find out more
Book tickets at http://bit.ly/FOA18Celebration or contact 021 461 9265 for more information.
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