2019 Arbor Month celebration
Arbor Month is celebrated annually during September month by planting of trees that are indigenous to the Republic of South Africa as well as by raising awareness and education about the critical role that trees play in everyday life.
This year’s theme is “Forest and Sustainable cities” and it is aligned to the Good Green Deeds Programme and the United Nations themes for environment 2019. The key focus for environment in 2019 is air pollution, and trees are in many ways mitigating the potential adverse impact of air pollution.
This year, the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs will commemorate this important month in the calendar by conducting clean-up campaigns and planting of 500 trees in townships and informal settlements. This is because in the past the latter mentioned areas were disadvantaged in terms of planning for parks as well as tree planting in streets and open spaces.
The interactions with community and school learners will take place in four district municipalities and the main provincial event will be held on the 27th September 2019 in Parys. These activities are intended to raise awareness and educate 1020 participants consisting of leaners from surrounding schools of host towns, broader community and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The purpose of this programme is to regulate, manage and ensure the provision of environmental and biodiversity management services in the province by contributing to sustainable development and use of natural resources. Also to promote the awareness implementation of a culture to keep open spaces and townships clean, including greening and promoting recycling.
This auspicious events will assist the municipalities in the Free State with regard to their greening strategy which may work to their advantage during the Environmental Management Competition and to inculcate environmental stewardship amongst school leaners.
Details of the events are as followers:
- Hoopstad 05 September 2019
- Harrismith 13 September 2019
- Gariep Dam 19 September 2019
- Wepner 20 September 2019
- Parys 27 September 2019
Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Enquiries:
Lebogang Maloale
Cell: 051 400 9631
E-mail maloalel@destea.gov.za
