Last week, I was in Sedgefield, Western Cape, as facilitator and participant of the festival Ecolution. A small intimate festival celebrating our connection to the local environment. The festival focuses in particular on the wildlife corridors though the Well Being Sanctuary Land, in connection to wider Garden Route areas. Therefore, amidst other activities of dance, live music, drumming, talks and swims… we planted about 1000 trees, introducing more indigenous species and allowing the emergence and regeneration of ecosystems, in turn rewilding safe and natural passage for more-than-human beings.
Hereunder I reproduce a post by Mariette Carstens, the custodian of the land… And is a photo of her with her fellow being of the collective yellowwood.
I feel very emotional about this post!
It has taken me a few days just to land with and integrate the magic that folded here at Ecolution Festival 2025
This weekend, something extraordinary happened in my life and Well-Being Sanctuary.
Together—with children, elders, dreamers, and doers—we planted 1,000 trees across our sacred sand dune. The first day, 700 trees found their home in pre-dug beds of possibility. The second day, we dug and planted 300 more, each one a prayer for the earth, a promise to the future.
We did this as part of the Ecolution Project, expanding the wildlife corridor that runs through our land—linking Sedgefield and moving towards Keurbooms River, all the way to Addo Elephant Park. Imagine that… a living bridge for birds and all wild beings to roam freely once more.
This was not just reforestation. It was restoration. Celebration. Collaboration.
With deep gratitude, I want to thank:
Butterfly Foundation – you are doing incredible work accross the world. We will continue next week as the South Africa Nomads join us with Travelbase to plant even more trees. This is conscious traveling.
Antony Stone, The Rondevlei Learning Centre and Kula Malika, and the Swartvlei community—for standing with us in this vision.
And to the children of ALL AGES—who laughed, dug, danced, and planted with muddy hands and shining eyes—you are the heartbeat of this movement.
Here’s to joy, to soil, to sacred action.
“To plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow. It is to place hope in the hands of time and trust that love will grow roots.”
My is full
My partner and co-faciltator Simric Yarrow and I inaugurated a Spiral ‘playshop’ including different drama games to embody the Four Stages of the Spiral – Gratittude, Honouring our Pain for the World, Seeing with New and Ancient Eyes and Going Forth-. Again, as with previous new formats we experiences that ritual, coupled with embodied practices AND what has been called ‘Eco-poetic’ languages can intensify reconnection and understanding on more-than-intellect levels… body intelligence at work, fun and pleasure too.
Looking forward to next year’s Festival and look forward to seeing you there too.
Welcome to ECOLUTION, a celebration of nature, sustainability, and community!
An initiative of Well-Being Sanctuary in collaboration with Precious Tree Project (NPO), this unique festival is not just about music and having a lekker time, but is dedicated to fostering a deeper connection with the environment and promoting ecological harmony.
At the heart of ECOLUTION are three fundamental pillars: establishing wildlife corridors, forest rehabilitation, and embracing permaculture principles.
WILDLIFE CORRIDORS are vital pathways that connect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to migrate, forage, and breed freely. At the festival you can explore talks, educational exhibits and interactive workshops focused on raising awareness about the importance of preserving these corridors. Experts share insights on the impact of habitat fragmentation and ways landowners and individuals can contribute to creating and maintaining these vital lifelines for biodiversity.
FOREST REHABILITATION takes center stage at ECOLUTION, symbolising renewal and regeneration. You are invited to participate in fun-filled ceremonies, planting trees and fynbos, where you can get your hands dirty and contribute to restoring degraded ecosystems, as well as clearing alien species. Guided forest hikes offer an immersive experience, allowing participants to witness firsthand the transformative power of nature restoration. Through collaborative efforts, ECOLUTION aims to replenish natural biomes, combat climate change, and provide habitat for countless species.
PERMACULTURE, the third pillar of ECOLUTION, is a holistic approach to sustainable living that mimics natural ecosystems and promotes resilience. Workshops on permaculture design showcase innovative techniques for creating self-sustaining food systems, regenerative agriculture, and eco-friendly infrastructure. From composting and rainwater harvesting to agroforestry and renewable energy; from natural building to worm farming, ECOLUTION inspires attendees to embrace practices that harmonise with nature, nourish the land, and support local communities.
In addition to these core pillars, ECOLUTION offers a vibrant lineup of eco-conscious performances, art installations crafted from recycled materials, and a marketplace featuring sustainable products from local artisans and green businesses. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or a curious newcomer, ECOLUTION invites you to join in the celebration of our planet and discover how together, we can create a brighter, greener future for generations to come.
Play as you learn with our AMAZING EXPERTS –
FEATURING…
TALKS, FOREST WALKS, WORKSHOPS, YOGA, LIVE MUSIC, ECSTATIC DANCE, TREE- AND FYNBOS PLANTING, ALIEN SPECIES CLEARING, FOOD STALLS, KIDS ZONE, FIRE DANCING, TRADING AND SO MUCH MORE!
DELUXE GLAMPING
For Next Level Luxury in a 5m Bell Tent is at a special package for the entire 4 days
1 to 2 people R2,000 (variety in beds available, first come, first serve), 3 to 4 people R2,800
TICKETS – Your ticket incorporates the purchase of an endemic indigenous tree.
STANDARD ADULTS R699 STANDARD KIDS R299 * Sales window closes 31 August 2024, but contact us at gaiaspeaking@gmail.com as we have some tickets to sell at Standard Price still
SNOOZE ADULTS R999 SNOOZE KIDS R399
* Effective 1 to 29 September 2024
Ticket price includes free camping (bring your own tent), drinking water, firewood and entertainment. Provide your own food or purchase your meals from the food stalls
We value clear, conscious connection NO PETS. NO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS. RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED
DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE The GPS co-ordinates provided below will only take you to Lake Avenue. But if you read the directions below, you’ll get to the venue. Guaranteed!
Once you pass through Sedgefield on the N2, take the Karatara turnoff to your left. Travel about 4km to the first turn to the left (also signposted: Karatara). Pass over a low water bridge, travel about 3km to the first left turn. It is a dirt road with a sign saying Hoogekraal/George.
Follow the road over the river and up the pass for about 5km to the first left turn. Signs say Well-Being Sanctuary, Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei. TURN LEFT into Lake Avenue. From the top of Lake Avenue just keep following the blue and white WBS arrows. At the bottom of the road you will see a face brick entrance, TURN LEFT and you will see a large wooden gate. You have arrived.
Once through the gate (where you will be required to present your pre-booked tickets) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!
FROM THE WILDERNESS SIDE
Once you pass through Wilderness on the N2, take the turn off to Hoekwil. Travel for approximately 21km and take the right turn onto the dirt road to Ruigtevlei.
Travel approximately 3 km along the dirt road and turn right into Lake Avenue (at this juncture you will see a few signs, including Wilderness Forest Estate, Fynbosvlei, Tomorrowland & Well-Being Sanctuary). TURN RIGHT into Lake Avenue.
From the top of Lake Avenue just keep following the blue and white WBS arrows. At the bottom of the road you will see a face brick entrance, TURN LEFT and you will see a large wooden gate. You have arrived.
Once through the gate (where you will be required to present your pre-booked tickets) travel along the grass road and park your vehicle in the designated area. Voila! Enjoy a blissful time!
This weekend, something extraordinary happened in my life and Well-Being Sanctuary.
Butterfly Foundation – you are doing incredible work accross the world. We will continue next week as the South Africa Nomads join us with Travelbase to plant even more trees. This is conscious traveling.
“To plant a tree is to believe in tomorrow. It is to place hope in the hands of time and trust that love will grow roots.”
Gaia Speaking 