Residents encouraged to help the LHRA to protect the suburb’s trees
LOWER HOUGHTON – Community members are invited to attend the Lower Houghton Residents Association AGM where the tree survey will be launched.
The Lower Houghton Residents Association (LHRA) alongside Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo and Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett is soon to conduct a survey of Lower Houghton’s public trees to determine the extent of the infestation in the suburb. This survey will be launched at the LHRA AGM in the committee room at the Old Eds Sports Club on 16 October at 6pm.
Chair of the LHRA Natalie Webb said, “We appeal to residents to volunteer their services to make the survey successful. We’re specifically looking for street volunteers who will coordinate data collection and inspection of each public tree in each street.”
Houghton Estate resident and tree survey coordinator Glenda Wheeler supported by Professor Marcus Byrne from Wits University will address the gathering and provide key information about the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) challenge in South Africa, the threat to our city’s urban forest, the academic research being undertaken, City Park’s strategy as well as the national strategy that is currently being defined.
Webb explained that the aesthetically beautiful suburb of Houghton Estate is distinguished by its impressive, leafy avenues.
“The quality and splendour of our trees is directly related to retaining real estate value. Our trees provide numerous ecological, healthy and other economic benefits,” said Webb.
She appeals to residents to work with the LHRA to protect and manage the suburb’s trees.
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