Celebrations for Durban Botanic Gardens Trust
The Durban Botanic Gardens Trust celebrated the launch of its new book and the awarding of the John Medley Wood Medal at a gala dinner.
THE Durban Botanic Gardens Trust held a celebratory gala dinner recently, where The Durban Forest – an independent publication of the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust was launched and the John Medley Wood Medal for services to botany was awarded.
Speaking at the dinner about The Durban Forest, the first volume in the Trust’s forthcoming umKhuhlu series of books, Durban Botanic Gardens Trust Chairman Ivor Daniel said: “The series will draw on the Garden’s status as Durban’s oldest public institution to advocate for new models of applied botany in support of a sustainable urbanism.”
This discipline is needed to address the use of plants in ecosystem-based adaptations to climate instability, food security, ecological restoration and social and economic justice in Durban.
The release of the book was planned to coincide with the XIV World Forestry Congress which is taking place in Durban at the ICC from 7 until 11 September, and which will advance strong arguments for urban forestry as a driver of social equity, economic opportunity and the protection of our environment. In addition to providing a manifesto for these aspirations, The Durban Forest locates the Durban-of-today in its historical forest environment and its present day vegetation, while also offering perspectives on the importance of the Durban Botanic Gardens, environmental law and legislation, food production and our need for environments that offer refuge and well-being in natural areas and public open spaces in cities.
The occasion also celebrated the bestowal of the John Medley Wood Medal, awarded annually by the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust for exceptional contributions to botany in KwaZulu-Natal. This year’s award was presented to the much-beloved and superlative botanist, landscaper, author and botanical artist Dr Elsa Pooley.
The Durban Forest will be available through the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust situated at the Durban Botanic Gardens information office or nationally at retail booksellers. Contact 031 309 9240 or marketing@dbgt.org.za for more information.
