Food and Trees for Africa

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Zoo plants Arbor Week tree Written by Ray Maota 07 September 2010

Schoolchildren joined Miss Earth South Africa finalists, officials, politicians and other interested parties in celebrating Arbor Week at the Johannesburg Zoo.

H OW trees helped fight threats to the environment was the topic of Arbor Week at the Johannesburg Zoo, when a group of learners joined politicians and beauty queens to plant a tree and learn a bit about their world.

Zoo staff; 150 schoolchildren; the portfolio head for environment, Matshidiso Mfikoe; and 16 Miss Earth South Africa finalists planted a tree at the zoo on 3 September to mark Arbor Week.
Learning about exotic creatures There were people from a number of related organisations on hand, to talk to the learners about their sectors – Joburg Water, Rand Water, Food and Trees for Africa, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden.
Steven van der Spuy, the zoo’s chief executive officer, said that Arbor Day, like other biodiversity days, was important to the zoo and its partners as it put environmental responsibility under the spotlight.

“It provides a platform for organisations like ours to advocate the sustainable use of all natural resources and to contribute to the development of a safe, clean and green city. ”

The children learned about gardening tools from Patrick Mmbulawa, an intern in the zoo’s horticulture department; they learned about herbivores such as the blue tongue skink and the bearded dragon from Innocent Maake, a zoo tour guide; and they learned about solar energy from Sci-Bono’s Myself Mngomezulu.

Mfikoe said: “We celebrate Arbor Week every year between 1 and 7 September. Today is a special day because kids are learning the importance of trees and their significance in the environment. ”

Hazel Moloi, an edu-plant administrator at Food and Trees for Africa, spoke about her organisation. “We teach kids about the environment and we help disadvantaged schools develop food gardens so they can make a feeding scheme for the kids. ”

Malusi Vatsha, the assistant director at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens also had a word for the guests. “We are celebrating Arbor Week, which has been celebrated in South Africa since 1983. Every year, two or three trees that are indigenous are chosen [as] trees of the year. [This year they] are Rothmannia capensis , Cladestemon kirkii and Acacia xanthophloea . ”

Van der Spuy also used the occasion to unveil the new zoo enclosure, Temple of Ancients, where snakes, insects and fish species indigenous to south and central America will be housed

Spring – she has finally arrived! 06 September, 2010 07:45:00 Samantha Jooste

Spring has finally graced us with her presence and once again she brings with her a sense of new awakenings and new beginnings. Let’s take a moment to enjoy the many benefits that spring has to offer.

Though most of us are relieved that the short dark days and freezing winter nights are behind us, we might not feel very fresh and rejuvenated at this time of the year.

And what an eventful year it has been! Our home was swamped by tourists and revellers who came to attend the soccer World Cup.

And now, when we thought we could finally catch a break and have some peace and quiet, it dawns on us that we are fast approaching the ‘’silly season” (when you are subtly reminded by your five-year-old of what she wants Father Christmas to bring her!).

Before we know it, shopping centres will be buzzing with holiday makers, school kids, and adorned with Christmas decorations.

In the meanwhile there are a few things we can do to celebrate the onset of spring which will prove beneficial to our wellbeing:

Exercise

The mornings and evenings are getting lighter. This is the ideal opportunity to take a walk or a go for a jog. Hit the gym. The excuse to rather stay in because it is too cold is fast fading away.

Remember, exercise is always beneficial to your mental state and can really give your brain the boost it needs – not to mention the physical benefits (fighting off the bulge that winter has left behind!).

Start a new project or hobby

Get out of that winter rut and find a sense of purpose once again. Do something that you will enjoy. Anything from reading a great book to journal writing can inspire positive thoughts and great ideas.

Bond with nature

Gardening is a wonderful springtime hobby. Plant some new flowers or start a herb or vegetable garden. Growing your own herbs and vegetables is surprisingly easy and very rewarding in the long term.

It is also organic and healthy and might inspire a healthier diet and some new dishes. It’s also cheaper than buying fresh herbs and veggies from the supermarket!

Eat healthier

Your body might have craved those extra winter kilojoules to keep warm, but it is time to get rid of them (preferably before bikini season arrives!).

Go through your kitchen cupboards and pack those high carb, high sugar items into a box and donate it to your nearest charity or soup kitchen. Out of sight, out of mind … or at least you will not be as tempted to eat them as when they were still there.

Replace them with some healthier snacks and alternatives.

Spring clean your life

Spring cleaning is a great way to get rid of those winter cobwebs. Clear out any junk or clutter in your home while you are at it. Remember to make different piles, one for charity and one for recycling.

If you haven’t used something in the last six months, chances are you won’t need to use it again. So just get rid of it. Unclutter your life. You will feel a tremendous sense of relief, and you will feel good about giving to the less fortunate just before Christmas.

Get rid of those mental cobwebs too

Conduct a quick stock-take of the year so far. Write a list of achievements or goals you have met and a list of failures or things you have not had time to get to. Then write a new list of goals you can aspire to before the end of the year.

Plant a tree for Arbour Month

By planting a tree you can perform a private ceremony in which you bury the negative energy and experiences of the year. You can focus your energies on the positive by assisting in the restoration of ecosystems and improving the environment.

Plant a tree in your garden or in your community. If possible, plant a tree in a disadvantaged community assisted by Food & Trees for Africa.

Spring brings with her gifts of warmth, brightness and creativity

You don’t have to wait for New Year’s Day to come around before you resolve to make some positive changes in your life.

The change of season could be just the opportunity you needed to put that ‘spring’ back into your step!

For more info on Food & Trees for Africa go to www. trees. co. za

Image courtesy of every-passing-moment. blogspot. com

br /> Latest Headline Articles Author info: Samantha Jooste
Samantha Jooste is a 27-year-old architectural technologist. Born and raised in Cape Town, she is recently married and settling into her new role as a wife. She is passionate about going green and hopes to inspire others to take the initiative in their own lives. Samantha adores animals and went vegetarian at 19, and now supports charities that help neglected and abandoned animals. Through her position as an intern writer for All4Women she hopes to nurture another lifelong passion of hers – poetry and writing.