“MY TREE, MY OXYGEN-PLANT YOURS TODAY” iSIMANGALISO CELEBRATES ARBOR WEEK
05 September 2025
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority in partnership with WildTrust and the Department of Foresty, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) visited schools within and adjacent to iSimangaliso with an aim of planting trees as part of commemorating the Arbor Week under the theme “My Tree, My OxygenPlant Yours Today”. This initiative aims to educate learners about the significance of planting trees, the vital role trees contribute to sustaining human lives, and the responsibility of taking care of trees for current and future generations to come.
Arbor Week is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of trees, forests, and environmental conservation. This initiative will impact the environment especially on climate change mitigation, restoring ecosystems, improving air quality, enhancing food security, and fostering environmental resilience.
The revamped national greening initiative is aligned with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to action which aims to plant 10 million trees over the next five years. To achieve this, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Ms Bernice Swarts) has set a bold target of 1 million trees to be planted by 24 September 2025.
iSimangaliso has set a target of planting 1000 trees by 24 September 2025. Amongst the 1000 trees, 60% will be fruit trees for food security and community livelihoods, and 40% will be indigenous trees for biodiversity & ecosystem resilience. The focus areas are schools, clinics, traditional Authority area, as this will leave a legacy such as Building green, resilient communities for future generations. iSimangaliso has selected 20 schools per section that are close to the park and at least 3 trees to be planted in each school (both primary and high schools). The areas where trees will be planted include Sokhulu,
Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe, Mkhuze, Sodwana and Kosi Bay. Similarly, Local clinics and traditional authority
areas are earmarked for the proposed tree planting programme within the same communities where
these schools are located.
Learners actively participated in tree planting activities, gaining practical knowledge and a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship. Through such engagements, iSimangaliso continues to inspire communities to embrace conservation practices that ensure a greener and healthier environment.
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-End- Statement issued by iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Media enquires: MLO: Mr. Bheki Manzini Call/WhatsApp: 060 533 2082 Email: