Have you ever wondered what biodiversity stewardship means? Or how Sports changes children’s lives? How does an NPO work? What’s so special about fynbos? Why is Entrepreneurship important in South Africa? If so, join us monthly on a Third Thursday and allow our team to answer!

Grootbos Foundation is a diverse organisation made up of teams of botanical and environmental researchers, sports coaches, business mentors and teachers all backed by a team of fundraisers. Grootbos Foundation is a purpose-driven organisation and our teams are brilliant in what they do. In this lunchtime talk series, you will have the opportunity to hear from members of our team, each of whom is an expert in their field. This will be an opportunity for our team to share their knowledge, passion and experience with you.

• 15 May: Chris Lochner and Bulelani Bashe talk RHS Chelsea Flower Show

  Chris Lochner and Bulelani Bashe are representing Grootbos and South Africa at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. They are returning to Chelsea for a second year in a row as a part of the build team for Leon Kluge’s fynbos display! Chris and Bulelani will take us behind the scenes at the South African display and give us an update on the build progress!

  The RHS Chelsea Flower Show take place between 20 - 24 May 2025

• Green Futures: Adult Skills Development through training and practical work experience at Green Futures College

  Susan Lochner has been facilitating adult based education at Green Futures College since 2003, when the college first opened. Under her tutelage, over 300 young adults have received certified education and skills training to develop careers in the Green Economy. In this 3rd Thursday Talk, Susan will share her experiences over the past 21 years of teaching at Green Futures College. Watch here

• Careers in Conservation and Research: Grootbos Foundation Internship Programme

  What exactly does it take to build a career in conservation and research? This month, Happiness Baloyi and Marelise Faul, will share their experiences as entomology interns for Grootbos Foundation. Over the past year, Marelise and Happiness have pinned insects, taken part in bioblitz rapid surveys, conducted field work for research projects and gained experiences to set them up for a career in conservation.

• On Fire: Prescribed burns in Fynbos

  Fire is an inevitable part of the fynbos landscape. Fire management is essential not only for maintaining ecological balance but also for practical safety and land management. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve manager, Mike Fabricius, shares his knowledge and experience on the ‘how’, the ‘why’, and the ‘when’ of conducting prescribed burns in fynbos.