As our team arrived at Platbos Forest, the forest itself was brimming with innumerable shades of green, accentuated by the recent rains that had fallen there in the days prior. The team, accompanied by owner Francois Krige, visited the restoration sites being planted as part of the 2023 planting season, where the Platbos team were furiously busy digging, planting and mulching one of the last remaining sites to be planted there. Needless to say, the rain made digging and planting much easier, and allowed new seedlings the ideal conditions to settle into their new homes. As the team continued moving through the forest, they arrived at sites planted in 2013 and 2014, where trees had reached heights of 1,5m and more, this being quite exceptional for the slow growing trees characteristic of Platbos. Many of the WIld Olive trees planted here had seen heavy grazing from local buhsbuch, signs that the biodiversity in the area were utilizing these restored patches, which is encouraging, even if some of the trees were somewhat short and stocky. The team struggled in some places to find a way through these restored patches, which showcases their ecological sustainability and the natural processes that are re-shaping these recovering forest patches. Following game trails carved out through the vegetation, the team found themselves right on top of a porcupine den, with entrance holes big enough for an adult male to crawl into, once again showing signs that local mammals are finding refuge in these previously degraded areas as they recover. As the team moved through these and other sites, Francois and our Forest Restoration Project Manager had the opportunity to discuss ideas and theories around why certain sites reacted differently to others, even when located closely together. The differential responses of vegetation and recovering forests are clear, and these discussions lead to insights and improved adaptive management for all our restoration work.