We are thrilled to share some big news: Wild Tomorrow has officially secured 321 hectares (793 acres) of new land adjacent to our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This land acquisition marks the beginning of our most ambitious restoration project to date - From Field to Forest - a long-term commitment to restoring a critically endangered ecosystem and protecting one of the most ecologically important landscapes in the region. Read more in our blog post below!

*Turning a field back into a forest is a long term project. This is a section along our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve fenceline.*

A LEGACY OF THE LAND

For decades, these 321 hectares formed part of a productive pineapple farming operation, playing an important role in the local agricultural community. Today, Wild Tomorrow is honored to take the stewardship of this land and begin the careful, deliberate process of returning it to its ancient natural state…the Critically Endangered Sand Forest.

WHY SAND FOREST MATTERS

Sand Forest is one of South Africa’s rarest and most biodiverse ecosystems. Found only in a small region of northern KwaZulu-Natal, these forests grow on ancient, nutrient-poor sand dunes and exist in fragmented patches across the landscape.

Despite their limited range, Sand Forests are exceptioanlly rich in endemic plant and animal species…many found nowhere else on Earth. Their specialization makes them both extraordinary and incredibly fragile, placing them among the most threatened forest types in the country.

*Mature trees in the Sand Forest on our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve.*

RESTORING A GLOBAL TREASURE

This new acquisition is more than an expansion of our reserve; it creates a critical buffer zone to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park. By restoring this land, we are protecting the ecological integrity of one of the world’s most important natural wonders.

The benefits extend beyond biodiversity. This landscape feeds into sensitive wetlands and waterways that sustain life throughout the region. By removing water-intensive, non-native crops, eliminating agricultural chemicals, and restoring indigenous forest and groundcover across these 793 acres, we will improve water filtration and promote healthier, cleaner water systems for the entire ecosystem.

THE VISION: A SCIENTIFIC JOURNEY

Restoring a forest is not a quick fix…it is a long-term commitment rooted in patience, observation, and science. This isn’t a "one-size-fits-all" project. Instead, we will apply a range of restoration strategies across different sections of the land, closely monitoring outcomes over time. By doing so, we aim to generate valuable data that can inform and strengthen future habitat restoration efforts throughout the region and beyond.

POWERED BY THE GREEN MAMBAS

At the heart of this ambitious restoration effort are the "Green Mambas," Wild Tomorrow’s all-women habitat restoration team. Recruited from surrounding communities, these dedicated women are trained in invasive species removal, indigenous planting, and long-term ecosystem care.

The Green Mambas will lead the on-the-ground work across the newly acquired land…clearing invasive species, preparing soils, planting indigenous trees, and nurturing the forests of the future. Their hands will be the ones that physically turn these fields back into a thriving wild sanctuary.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE YEAR AHEAD

While our immediate focus is on restoring land and water systems, this site will soon serve another vital purpose. We are excited to share that it will also be home to a new Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

This facility will provide care for animals in need. We’ll be sharing the full details on the centre’s development with you in the New Year…stay tuned!

HELP US PLANT A FUTURE

Habitat restoration is a long-term commitment that requires time, dedication, and significant resources! We invite you to be part of this journey. Every donation to the "From Field to Forest" campaign directly supports the tools, trees, and people needed to bring this landscape back.

“Protecting nature today is the wisest investment in tomorrow's world.”

- UNKNOWN

Together, we can turn fields back into forests — and secure a truly wild tomorrow.

DONATE TO SAVE HABITAT

FROM FIELD TO FOREST: WILD TOMORROW ACQUIRES NEW LAND!