Together with the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Ekurhuleni is set to reach out to 30 schools by the end of the year, and eight schools have already been visited since the beginning of September.
Global temperatures are rapidly increasing, leading to potential changes in rainfall patterns, severe droughts and storms, as well as changes in animal and plant behaviour.
All of this poses a risk to human health, thus, educating learners about the importance of planting and preserving trees is vital, for young people will be the ones to continue with the vision of preserving the environment and contributing to the global efforts to avoid predictable, dangerous consequences of recklessness.
At each school visited, learners explore the role of trees in addressing climate change challenges. They are also encouraged to participate in the tree planting process and are taught how to care for trees.
At the end of the day, they know how to dig a hole for the purpose of planting a tree, how to remove the root soil plastic cover and plant the tree; as well as the importance of watering trees at specific times of the day.
Once the planting is done, the schools are required to name one of the trees, in order to forge a relationship between learners and the plant – an important part of their family.
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