|
The Department of Water and Sanitation has initiated National Arbor Week to celebrate South Africa's trees and to raise
awareness of their importance. The theme for National
Arbor Week 2000 is Trees heal our Land.
This theme supports the need to heal the wounds of the past and
the need to heal the land ravaged by industrialisation, human abuse and neglect. This
"healing" creates a heritage to ensure future generations a healthy and
sustainable environment, society and economy.
The theme, Trees heal our Land,
embraces three areas in which trees play a role in our lives:
- Indigenous forests which provide a wonderful home for
wildlife and give us tranquil places to visit. Many of our people depend on the precious
trees and herbs of our forests for medicines and spiritual resources
- Industrial forests which provide jobs and economic
opportunities for many people in rural areas
- Trees in our cities and towns, which help to make our homes
shady and green. Just think of the difference between a dusty street and an area bursting
with green trees and parks.
The Department of Water and Sanitation, TOTAL SOUTH
AFRICA and Trees for Africa ask you to:
- Protect our indigenous forests
- Help prevent veld and forest fires
- Plant and care for trees
- Plant a tree in remembrance
Through Arbor Week we hope to:
- Promote a better knowledge of trees, particularly indigenous
trees
- Highlight the important role that forestry plays in our economy, especially in the rural
areas
- Raise awareness of the dangers of veld and forest fires
- Highlight the vital role of trees in our lives by organising a variety of greening
events
- Encourage everyone to participate in tree planting and greening activities.
What can we do during Arbor Week?
- Motivate your local schools, clinics, churches and others to
get involved in tree planting ceremonies
- Organise a poster, essay, poetry or debating competition about trees at your school
- Present a play, speech or poem about trees and the environment
- Initiate a memorial tree garden in your community
- Gather and distribute information on the planting and care of trees, forest fires and
indigenous forests
- Start a vegetable garden and an orchard
- Organise tree identification excursions
- Go hiking in the indigenous forest areas.
|
