Projects

Somerset East – Eastern Cape Restoration Project, South Africa

Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR)

Project Development

Theory of change

Located on degraded former ranchland in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the project provides a financial incentive to restore spekboom thicket, a keystone plant species native to the Eastern Cape and largely cleared by agricultural settlers. It is responsible for supporting a rich biodiversity.

Climate change mitigation

Planting spekboom thickets in ecologically degraded areas not only sequesters carbon, but also improves soil health and biodiversity, and, if managed properly, increases resilience in a region prone to climate variability.

Regenerating the ecosystem
Providing trainings and employment
Supporting endangered species

At a glance

Located on 2390 hectares of degraded former ranchland in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the project area we support provides a financial incentive for the restoration of spekboom thicket, a local keystone species. Native to the region, it supports a divers ecosystem.

2390 ha restored in South Africa

Impact areas

The project will regenerate spekboom thickets, benefiting thousands of plant and animal species that depend on this ecosystem.

Site-appropriate regeneration increases resilience and adaptation to climate change. Protecting a threatened ecosystem avoids emissions.

The project is located in one of South Africa’s most impoverished districts, with a high unemployment rate. It supports the local community by creating new jobs.