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| Calendar: | elma.pollard@gmail.com |
| Title: | National Arbor Week |
| When: | 01.09.2013 - 07.09.2013 |
| Location: | SA |
| Description: | 1 September - National Arbor Day 1-7 September - National Arbor Week September - National Arbor Month National Arbor Day, Week and Month promotes the planting and maintenance of indigenous trees throughout South Africa. Every Arbor Week celebration highlights two specific trees, one common and one rare species. In 2013 the trees being highlighted are: Common: Blossom tree, Keurboom Virgilia oroboides Rare: Cross-berry, KruisbessieGrewia occidentalis Powder-puff Tree, Poeierkwas-boom Barringtonia racemosa Arbor Day, Week and Month aims to promote a better understanding of trees, especially indigenous trees. It highlights the essential role trees play in sustainable development and the livelihoods of people and their environment, now and for the future. Arbor month provides stakeholders with the opportunity to raise awareness of South Africa‘s urban greening initiatives and encourages all communities and businesses to participate in various greening activities. The youth are encouraged to participate in tree planting activities and related environmental education programmes. Every year for the month of September and particularly between 1 and 7 September, schools, organisations and businesses participate in community "greening" events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and develop a green future for South Africa. Events are held around the country highlighting the benefits of planting and conserving trees to offsetting carbon emissions and for greening to improve the quality of life and uplift the environment. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is responsible for The National Arbor Week campaign as this department is the custodian of forestry in South Africa. The aim of Arbor Week is to promote and create a better life for all. We depend on trees for the world‘s oxygen. By destroying Earth‘s natural forestation we threaten our existence. Trees are needed to enrich and anchor soil, to maximise water supplies, to beautify and humanise townships and urban areas and to provide shade and shelter. Trees are about renewal, growth and regeneration, and memory. Tree trunks chart the passage of time. Each ring tells the story of a year in the life of the tree. In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. In 1999, the celebration of Arbor Day was extended to National Arbor Week. And now the whole of September is recognised as Arbor Month. Arbor Day originated in Nebraska, United States of America. Mr J Sterling Morton, a newcomer to the treeless plains of Nebraska, persuaded the local agricultural board to set aside a day for planting trees. As editor of Nebraska's first newspaper, he encouraged participation in the event by publishing articles on the value of trees for soil protection, fruit and shade and building. On April 10 1872, the first official Arbor Day, the people of Nebraska planted one million trees. For more information: www.greenworks.co.za/arborday.html Plant a Tree For Life with Greenworks. |
| Copy: | Copy to my calendar |
