In 2001, the Uplands schools acquired the adjacent 65 ha Mondi property, the site of the former Tree Improvement Centre.

The property comprises commercially viable nursery facilities, a rich wetland area, several dams and recreational facilities. It is also host to a natural heritage site, named “Inhlaba” in 1989 by the South African Nature Conservation authorities.

The property contains a population of Aloe simii, a local endemic aloe recently declared an endangered species. This property is now the operating centre for The Uplands Institute for Outreach and Environmental Education.

The vision of the Institute is to be recognised as the foremost proponent of public-private partnership in education in South Africa by assisting to transform previously disadvantaged schools in the region into effective educational institutions. In addition, we aim to become known as a leading centre for environmental programmes, for Uplands College and Prep, our outreach partners and regional communities, with a view to achieving a high level of appreciation for the need for the sustainable use of our natural resources.

Outreach activities currently comprise:

• Teacher training and upgrading, pupil enrichment and academic support programmes for primary and secondary schools from rural communities in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
• An environmental education programme for both Uplands College and Prep and for our partner schools.
• A course to upgrade principals’ qualifications.
• Bursary awards for disadvantaged pupils.
• A community entrepreneurship project
• Community Service projects.
• A recycling programme (to comply with ISO 14001 requirements).
• Computer literacy courses for partner school teachers and domestic and ground staff of the Uplands College and Prep.