In an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19, governments worldwide have been closing their borders and implementing strict regulations. In South Africa, a nationwide lockdown was put into effect on Thursday 26 March 2020. For Pachamama, this situation brought some challenges as well as opportunities and a shift in Read more…
“As a volunteer at Pachamama I was thrilled to participate in a very special day on Friday 7th of March. The permanent team: Kate, Chris, Nixiwaka and Werner, had invited a group of children from the neighbourhood for a very exciting afternoon. We welcomed seven kids aged around five to Read more…
2019 was a year of many changes and growth at Pachamama. There has been a big shift towards focusing energies on the reforestation – and we are very pleased to be receiving funding for 2000 indigenous trees to be planted by June 2020. We begin 2020 with an established and Read more…
Kraaibosch is situated directly on the boundary of the Knysna Forest, within 800 meters of the Homtini River Valley, 32 km from Knysna. Kraaibosch has 24 lots of allocated land of which all are currently occupied in some way. Kraaibosch was originally set up as a Woodcutters lot in 1895. Read more…
As an organisation, Pachamama now stands on the precipice of expansion. Over the last three years we have been building the networks, infrastructure and systems to be able to support the vision we hold for this land. Many people have participated and nurtured the seed of this project. The success Read more…
Our culture of consumerism is driving species to extinction through progressively degrading landscapes that are out of sight in the lives of the general population. This happens because we collectively pay for the products that put profit above conservation. Too easy is it however to put the blame on something Read more…
Certain Trees which are not indigenous to the area are often called Alien or invasive trees. We prefer to say that these trees are invasive, as no tree is Alien to Pachamama. Currently, the Pachamama forest retreat land is occupied with two-thirds of invasive trees including several species of Pine, Read more…
Buffer Zones Buffer Zones are also known as corridors or fingers. It is the zone between occupied(human) land and the natural forest. The pine plantations literally blanket the earth in the Knysna Area. To bring the land back into balance, indigenous trees and plants need to be planted, but not Read more…
This is a term used by firefighters, farmers and generally people in Southern Africa, who care for a particular piece of land, have the appropriate vehicle and the desire to protect life from a fire. It describes a homemade firefighting unit, comprising of a water tank, a water pump and some Read more…
We had been on fire warning, since the fire jumped the “Seven Passes Road” at around four o’clock on Tuesday 30th October 2018. This fire was coming toward us like a huge Dragon. Back at Pachamama Forest Retreat, we spent the day frantically clearing brush from around the houses and woodchipping Read more…