What was built.
The problem.
Eco Restoration had a clear and important mission — educating South African households about the ecological impact of planting non-indigenous species — but almost nothing to build from. As an NGO, there was no budget, no existing brand identity, and a large volume of proprietary plant research data that needed to be displayed publicly without being exposed or misappropriated. The platform also needed to be maintainable by the client themselves, without ongoing developer support.
How it was solved.
I designed and developed the site from the ground up using WordPress, the Astra theme, and Advanced Custom Fields — a combination that allowed for a structured, scalable plant database without the overhead of a complex CMS. The dynamic database was built to surface research data in a digestible, user-friendly format, while user-initiated forms allowed site owners to manually expand the plant library over time. The brand identity was created as part of the project scope, giving Eco Restoration a coherent visual presence to match their mission. Careful consideration was given to how sensitive, paid-for research data was presented and protected throughout the platform.
What it achieved.
The platform successfully brought Eco Restoration's mission to life online, giving their research a professional and accessible home. The client relationship has continued beyond the initial build, with Monkey and River receiving ongoing work — a testament to the trust established through the project.
Built by
Matthew Proudfoot
WordPress Developer and Conductor at Monkey & River, based in Cape Town, South Africa. He builds websites, and leads development teams.
