Whale Coast Conservation celebrated the first of its Arbor Week tree planting events in Gansbaai. Arbor Day 2015 was graciously hosted by Gansbaai Academia. Headmaster Mr Tommy Wilson, members of staff and learners participated enthusiastically in the planting of indigenous trees – a yellowwood, tree fuchsia and white stinkwood.
Councillor for Gansbaai Riana de Coning (fourth from left) enthusiastically supported the schools in the greening of their school grounds. Academia Head Tommy Wilson (five from left), educators and learners from Gansbaai Academia, Laerskool and Primêr were joined by WCC’s Sheraine van Wyk (second from right) and Shirley Volkwyn (right) who organised the activities.
WCC’s Shirley Volkwyn (left) welcomed the guests and talked about the important role of these ‘living monuments’ in nature and in our lives. Academia Head boy Johan van der Merwe (right) read a moving poem in praise of trees.
The learners then expertly planted the trees in well-prepared holes and added a watering system using recycled 2-liter bottles.
The trees were donated by the Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries. Afriforum and Overberg Agri sponsored the compost and bone meal to ensure that the trees will flourish. Academia has planned a watering programme for the hot, dry summer months, even during school holidays.
Whale Coast Conservation is proud to be associated with these schools whose participation in the WCC Youth Environment Programme (YEP) is sponsored by the AVI Community Trust.
He National Lotteries Commission funds a WCC project that raises awareness of sustainable lifestyles in the Overberg.