Arbor Day in Gansbaai
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.
The trees were donated by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Overberg branch of AfriForum and Overberg Agri sponsored the compost and bone meal to ensure that the trees will flourish.
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.
Arbor Day in Stanford
Shirley Volkwyn was at Die Bron Laerskool where the importance of trees was emphasised. After the ceremony the learners (with adult supervision) planted Wit Karee and Yellowwood trees on the playground.
AfriForum Overberg supported WCC with tree planting at Okkie Smuts Laerskool. They planted Wit Karee, Yellowwood and lemon trees.
Green Zwelihle
Upstairs at the Tambo Youth Café in Zwelihle provided the perfect venue for planting trees in celebration of Arbor Week. The Whale Coast Conservation ‘Greening Zwelihle’ project involved communities in caring for their environment through planting trees and flower and vegetable gardens.
Rodney Anderson (Board Member) and Rob Fryer (General Manager) at the WCC ‘Green Zwelihle’ sign at the Youth Café.
William Ntebe (middle), co-founder of the Youth Café, spoke passionately about his ideals for the Café and the youth it serves. It is the only gathering place for youth in Zwelihle where no alcohol is served. Listening are Shirley Volkwyn, Daleen Fouche (Hermanus Times) and Sheraine van Wyk.
WCC’s Learning Manager, Sheraine van Wyk (right), highlighted how important it is for many role-players to take hands with the community to make a successful project. Whale Coast Conservation thanks Overstrand Municipality, the Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries, AfriForum Overberg and the Youth Café for their support. Support also came from Overstrand Councillors and Hermanus Tourism.
The Hermanus Whale Crier, Eric Davalala (second from right), with Shirley Volkwyn, Sheraine van Wyk and Mabhuti Ntebe.
Fikiswa Gxamesi (right), founder of the Youth Café, and colleague Ayanda showing off the newly-planted Yellowwood tree.
The National Lotteries Commission funds a WCC project to raise awareness of sustainable lifestyles in the Overberg.
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