The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has planted seven million trees towards its 10 million target following a ceremony at Freedom Park in Salvokop.

Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts led the tree-planting ceremony at the heritage site as part of the drive to green communities and build climate resilience.

Stakeholders say that the campaign to plant 10 million trees contributes to climate resilience, promotes environmental awareness, and encourages individuals and organisations to actively participate in greening their communities.

During her address, Swarts thanked Dr Hilton Fisher, the CEO of Freedom Park, for hosting the event, 24 days into his new portfolio, and said that Freedom Park was one of the spaces identified to ensure planted trees survive.

Creating safe spaces

She said the initiative was aimed at addressing key issues, including climate change and the need for collective action. “The country has witnessed the devastation of climate-related disasters including floods, fires, droughts, and heatwaves. These events underscore our shared responsibility to act decisively and inclusively,” Swarts said.

The initiative started last year with the planting of more than 1.3 million trees in a single day on September 24.

“We have identified safe spaces across the country – these are areas with the necessary infrastructure to ensure planted trees survive and thrive,” Swarts said. “These areas include schools, churches, early childhood development centres, low-income housing, and other public institutions. Freedom Park is one of the sites that fits in this category.”

“To ensure suitability and long-term impact of the Billion Trees Campaign, trees are being selected based on agro-ecological zones and climatic conditions, with input from researchers and specialists. A database of approved nurseries and sponsors is being maintained, and members of the public are encouraged to participate by donating trees through an online pledge system available on the department’s website.”

Forest of Freedom project

“The reason we are planting trees with you today is partly because we have made a commitment to build the Forest of Remembrance,” Swarts said.

“As we continue to build the Forest of Freedom, the DFFE and Freedom Park will develop a nursery project to be located at Freedom Park,” she said. “The nursery will produce medicinal plants for use by communities and serve as a demonstration plot for traditional healers and other visitors of Freedom Park.” “Part of the nursery space will be used as a holding facility for the DFFE trees.”

The Forest of Freedom project seeks to restore an area disrupted by recent pipeline construction, repurposing it into a space that stands as a testament to South Africa’s journey towards democracy and its commitment to environmental sustainability.

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