We were thrilled to have two lovely and dynamic young ladies from the Eden Project in Cornwall visit us for a few days this week. Grootbos and the Foundation have always had fantastic links with the Eden Project, and it was super to have George and Juliet here to strengthen those links, and show us some of the brilliant interpretation signage and artwork that make Eden such an enthralling place to visit.
We had a very inspiring brain-storming session in the Forest Lodge Conference Centre at Grootbos, and it was great to get some fresh, new ideas from the girls. Its is wonderful to be able to gain knowledge from people who know how things should be done. Some of the signage that they showcased for us also really got our creative clocks ticking, and I think were well on track to making some fabulous signs to accentuate our project sites.
For the Foundation to move forward its important that we get the right message out, and be able to tell as many of the right people about the work that we are doing. This was our motivation to get this website up and ship-shape, and hopefully its getting there!
Thanks to the Eden team, and especially George and Juliet, for always taking such an interest in what were trying to do, its great to be associated with you!
Every year Hermanus’ population swells enormously as people flock to the town for the annual Whale Festival. As impressive as the show put on by the mammoth sea mammals, is the Fernkloof Flower Show, which is an explosion of colour and virbrance, showcasing the beauty of the Capes flora. Local nurseries, landscapers and societies take stands at the show, and put up displays to demontrate their skills and wares.
At Green Futures we use this opportunity to give the students a chance to use a bit of their creativity and teamwork to build a stand showing what they are made of. Its a fun time for the whole college, and excitement builds for weeks!
This years class decided to do a display showing how to “make do with what youve got”, and built a mock township shack, complete with fence and garden path. Beautiful fynbos from the Green Futures Nursery was used to fill tyres and old wheelbarrows, creating a stunning little garden full of lovely colour and fragrances that would attract a myriad of nectar loving birds.
The students man the stand for the duration of the show, and its a great opportunity for them to interact with interested people, and let people know about their experience at Green Futures.
We are extremely proud to announce that through the good work of the Grootbos Foundation, Grootbos has won the Heart of Africa Award at the recent Amarula Best Retreat in Africa Awards, held in Johannesburg on the 1st of October 2008. Grootbos also won the Bronze medal for third place in The Best Eco-Retreat in Africa, which is a fantastic achievement.
The Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Awards are a new collection of prestigious Awards designed to promote and reward excellence among African Retreats and Spas. Sponsored by Amarula, the Awards embrace ‘The Spirit of Africa’ and are awarded in various categories. The awards are made following a vigorous selection process that first entails an entry-judging session by a panel of high profile judges, followed by shortlisting of finalists and detailed site visits for first hand experience.
The Heart of Africa award focusses on the two questions: How does your retreat give back to society and promote employment and wellbeing amongst local people? and: What positive projects have you initiated? Grootbos is thrilled that the projects that the Foundation undertakes are successful and are being recognised as making a difference.
