Trees, glorious trees for Umdloti!

Nature lovers grabbed spades and got their hands dirty as the Umdloti reforestation project got going with Tongaat Hulett, Wildlands and the Umdloti UIP on Arbour Day last weekend.

After the coastal forest on the northern end of Bellamont Road, Umdloti, and the eastern border of Sibaya Coastal Precinct‘s future Node Six was cleared of alien invaders, locals filled up the empty spaces with some 200 indigenous saplings.

Local businessman, Richard Gunning of Umdloti’s Kwikspar had the fires lit for boerewors rolls and much needed refreshments for what was certainly thirsty work.

Face-painting and jumping castles were a hit with the youngest members of the community, after a morning of education, digging and planting with the Wildlands 30 strong team.

Wildlands project manager, David Moldenhauer said they partnered with Tongaat Hulett in open space development, alien clearing and deforestation.

“We have grown these plants from our Greenpreneurs project, which teaches the community about indigenous plants and how to harvest and grow seeds,” said Moldenhauer.

The forest is now home to new indigenous greens such as Buffalo Thorn, White Stinkwood, Coral Tree, Natal Wild Banana, Tinderwood and Dune Poison Bush.

Sibaya’s Development Executive, Sithembiso Mthembu of Tongaat Hulett Developments was thrilled with the turnout.

“The day was a resounding success in that it was all about the start of rehabilitating the coastal forest. Bringing the community together to take ownership of and engage more closely with their natural environment resonates deeply with Sibaya’s ethos of connecting people to things most important in life,” said Mthembu.

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