Our stories: Where people and planet meet
Case Studies
10 Trees: Rewilding lives, landscapes and livelihoods
10 Trees is a regenerative community initiative based in Acornhoek, a rural village in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, a project of Zingela Ulwazi Trust. Focused on women-headed households, the project addresses food insecurity, poverty, water scarcity, and environmental degradation by equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to grow 10 trees each— establishing home-based food and medicine forests and sustainable livelihoods.
Rewild Mpumalanga, Transforming Lives and Landscapes
Rewilding refers to restoring land to its natural state, often through reintroducing animal and plant species that have been lost or reduced, restoring natural processes to kickstart or boost ecosystem functioning, and repairing damaged ecosystems. In the early scientific understanding of the concept, a landmark scientific paper in 1998 noted three key features of rewilding: “large core protected areas, ecological connectivity, and keystone species”. These three ‘c’s have been complemented by three further ‘c’s – climate resilience, compassion and co-existence.
Blog Posts
Out in the Field: Project Biome in Mpumalanga (Ratanang Colab)
During our visit to Bushbuckridge, we met with December Ndhlovu, traditional leader, community organizer, and founder of Ratanang Colab. This community-led initiative blends Indigenous Knowledge, agroecology, and water conservation to tackle climate challenges, support youth leadership, and restore local ecosystems.
Out in the Field: Project Biome in Mpumalanga (Zingela Ulwazi Trust)
Last July, we visited Zingela Ulwazi Trust (ZU) in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, and witnessed an ecosystem of care, learning, and regeneration in action. From thriving permaculture gardens to self-defence classes restoring women’s agency, ZU’s work at the Centre for Women’s Independence revealed the power of collaboration, empowerment, and community grounded in trust, joy, and a common purpose.
.jpeg)
disruptive dreamers: A Conversation with Yvette le Fleur
Yvette le Fleur was raised with a deep awareness of her Indigenous roots. As a descendant of the Griqua Nation in from South Africa, she was aware of their colonial erasure through what she calls “Griqua Consciousness.” Now an environmental anthropologist, she works to revive Indigenous ecological knowledge systems lost to land dispossession and forced assimilation. Ahead of the recent New Moon Call, she spoke about the Griqua’s origins, San and Khoe revivalist movements, and the ties between culture, land, and restoration.
Videos
Ratanang Colab: The Start of Rewilding the World
Meet December Ndlovu, the visionary founder behind Ratanang Colab—a dynamic community-driven initiative based in Mpumalanga, South Africa. In the face of food insecurity, rising unemployment, and environmental degradation, December and his team are growing a future rooted in regeneration.
Webinars
Newsletters
RECAP June 2024 - November 2024
Humanity is in an unprecedented time of ecological transition and collapse on the planet. A precipice driven by natural cycles of planetary desertification combined with rapid destruction of biodiversity in soil, water, and air systems. At the root of it all is a misaligned human paradigm that feeds to and from extractive industries, behaviors and value systems.
Biome Constellation plans 2025
As we approach 2025, we are filled with deep gratitude for the creativity, generosity, kindness and innovation within this community. As sacred alchemists, we are coming together to ignite new ways of being and honour our beloved Mother Earth, Gaia. Join us in connecting organizations focused on regenerating, rewilding and reconnecting life.