TO celebrate Arbour Week, from Tuesday to Monday, 1 to 7 September, one of the initiatives planned by eThekwini Municipality is to green 100 homes in KwaMakhutha.
Three trees, one indigenous and two fruit trees, will be planted at each home and residents will be trained on how to properly care for them.
The planned Arbour Week celebrations is an ideal opportunity for residents to recommit themselves to caring for the environment, particularly the conservation of trees.
Arbour Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness of urban and rural greening initiatives while promoting a better understanding of trees, particularly indigenous and fruit trees.
It also highlights the important role trees play in sustainable development and the livelihoods of people and their environment.
There are a number of events lined-up throughout the week to create awareness of conservation among residents, who are encouraged to attend.
The public and schools are encouraged to contact the parks department head office on 031-322-4000, if they want assistance to green their homes by planting trees. The Parks Department will first do an assessment and if approved, a maximum of five trees will be donated for planting. The resident will receive training on how to adequately care for the tree.
Other events residents’ are encouraged to attend include the launch of a Forest of Remembrance at Adams Mission. The venue will have hiking trials and it will be promoted as a tourist destination.
The Durban Forest Publication will also be launched during Arbour Week.
Durban will also host the prestigious World Forestry Congress from Monday to Friday, 7 to 11 September.
The official launch of Arbour Week will be held at Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, 1 September hosted by the national minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The event will be broadcast live on SABC 2 breakfast show, Morning Live.
A number of national ministers, MECs and invited guests involved in greening initiatives will be in attendance.The delegation will visit a number of greening projects in eThekwini before formalities start.
The winner of the 2015 Arbour City Award will also be announced at the event. eThekwini has won the prestigious award twice previously, in 2013 and 2014.
