With National Arbor Week, National Clean-up Week, International Coastal Clean-up Day and World Rhino Day all in September, it is a highlight on the environmental calendar. It is with this in mind that Wessa decided to launch the programme.
Pupils from Assegai Primary, Wentworth Primary, Dirkie-Uys Primary, Austerville Primary and Collingwood Primary in the South Durban Basin (SDB) were shown how to adapt and respond to environmental pressures arising out of global climate change.
Wessa visited these schools during September to launch the project, which was funded by Mondi Merebank and to commemorate National Arbor Week. Pupils were taught the importance of planting trees for a sustainable future and the role trees play in the world. The tree of the year, the cross-berry (Grewia occidentalis), avocado and orange trees were donated to the schools and planted by the pupils. These selected pupils were taught the correct method of tree planting and were named ‘eco-warriors’ with the task of protecting and caring for the trees.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
