Did you know that timber plantations in South Africa were originally established to provide an alternative timber supply, and in so doing protecting our country’s few natural forests from further deforestation? Now protected by law, the natural forests in our care are carefully monitored and managed to ensure that alien invasive plant species are controlled and forest margins are protected from the impacts of fire, pests and disease.

Only 70% of forestry land is managed for production, with over 20%  left as natural areas, forming vast ecological networks traversing the forestry landscape. Forestry is the only sector to pay for the use of rainwater, adhering to the stringent water licensing process. By promoting proactive water stewardship, the sector is making every effort to reduce our environmental footprint and sustainably use natural resources.