Planted trees will have lasting impact

Earth Owl, with the Khuthaza Foundation, hosted a tree-planting event at the entrance to Nigel on September 11.

“It took a couple of days to express how it felt to be present in that particular moment,” said Roché Pepler of Earth Owl.

“It was to live in a moment where South Africa is united, where everyone is working towards a similar goal, where there is love, unity, care and hope for a future.”

The community came together on the day to help plant 150 indigenous trees that will not only beautify the town but also help reduce the town’s carbon footprint.

Each tree can capture up to 25kg of carbon per year, according to Bianca Wannenburg of the Khuthaza Foundation.

“Tree planting is the first way used to try and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Wannenburg.

“The International Panel of Climate Change found that the surest way to fight climate change is through the conservation and enhancement of carbon sinks and natural carbon stores.

“An example of a carbon sink is a tree. Of all the different types of vegetation, trees are the best carbon sinks due to their larger sizes and increased biomass.

“So if you take the 150 trees planted here today, with each of them removing up to 25kg of carbon each year, we will have a total of 3 750kg of carbon removed a year.”

Some of the trees that were planted include the wild olive, the white stinkwood (witstinkhout), and the Searsea Lancea (commonly known as the karee).

Each of these trees can remove anything between one and 10 tons of carbon dioxide during their lifetime.
“It was great seeing young and old helping to plant trees,” Pepler continued.

“I heard so much laughter and saw different cultures working together to achieve the goal of the day.
“It was a successful day and I am sure it will become part of the town’s history and set an example for future generations.”

Learners and staff members from John Vorster High School did their part for the event by raising funds for the day, helping to plant the trees as well as helping to clean up afterwards.

Various local and surrounding businesses contributed to the day’s success by donating trees and equipment and showing up on the day to help.

“Thank you to every person that came out on the day to support our cause and the event,” Pepler said.

“Your willingness to make a difference is inspiring.

“There are a few people whom I would like to thank for the exceptional work they did and the help they provided.
“Thank you to Epson Motors for your generous contribution to this park and adopting the maintenance of it to ensure it remains an icon for years to come, it is always a delight working with you.

“Thank you to the Madrassa Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) School for bringing and exposing the little ones to the event, and the Mnandi Nursery, we look forward to working with you in the future.

“We would also like to thank Computer Link, the Nigel Bowling Club, Nigel Tool Hire and Valley Irrigation and all the other private donations that helped us achieve our goal.

“Thank you to the learners and staff from John Vorster High School for the massive effort and contributions you made for the day.

“And finally, a big thank you to Patrick Mudau from the waste department. Thank you to Wollaston Labuschagne and Lindiwe Makubalu for helping us make the event possible and to Aileen Ceronio, representing the I love Nigel initiative, for donating the beautiful pride of India tree.”