Biodiversity loss is by far the biggest threat to South Africa´s environmental and tourism capital. As a result there is a natural incentive for stakeholders in the tourism industry to take ownership of a powerful initiative that secures the very resources on which this industry depends.
Trees for Tourism (TfT) is a vehicle for tourists and companies affiliated in any manner with the tourism industry, to counterbalance the tourism-related footprint. To achieve this aim, Serendipity Africa has partnered with Platbos Conservation Trust and farm 215 to plant out indigenous trees on a large scale in order to enhance, re-connect and re-create pristine eco-forest systems.
Planting trees that will become part of forest canopies provides a multi-dynamic approach that will support not just a tree, but an entire eco-system and every facet of life within it. Ancient forest systems are preserved for future generations and South Africa´s carbon sink capacity will be enhanced, counteracting the effects of climate change.
Trees for Tourism (TfT) is a vehicle for tourists, tourism-operators, and other companies and institutions affiliated with the tourism industry in South Africa, to counter-balance the tourism-related footprint.
To make this work, TfT facilitates the “purchase” by tourists and tourism related companies of indigenous trees, to be planted out in old woodland and appropriate degraded areas to re-create pristine forest eco-systems, safeguarded for future generations.
By increasing the surface area of existing indigenous forests, re-connecting indigenous forest-remains and creating new woodland in appropriate areas, the Cape’s biodiversity will be made more robust and the Cape’s carbon sink capacity will be enhanced, counteracting the effects of climate change.
TfT has selected Platbos Conservation Trust as the operator for the selection and preparation of appropriate reforestation sites, planting of trees and decade-long maintenance of the sites to protect the juvenile forests from fire and re-encroachment by alien invasive vegetation.
To find out more about Trees for Tourism or to participate in the project please visit their website:
http://www.treesfortourism.co.za/
Or contact Helen Turnbull: plant@treesfortourism.co.za
