Palm Beach Conservancy plans major indigenous tree planting drive
The conservancy has launched a Donate, Adopt, Buy initiative for indigenous trees as part of Arbour Month.
More than 50 indigenous trees are set to be planted in Palm Beach this month.
This comes as the Palm Beach Conservancy KZN steps up efforts to restore the area’s natural heritage and educate residents and visitors about the importance of indigenous vegetation.
The tree-planting initiative will form part of a broader environmental project being undertaken by the conservancy at the Palm Beach Main Beach, with planting expected to peak on Heritage Day (today).
The conservancy has launched a Donate, Adopt, Buy initiative for indigenous trees as part of Arbor Month.
The campaign has raised several thousand rand, while more than a dozen highly protected trees have also been donated directly.
Among the species selected are highly protected red and white milkwoods, as well as other endemic tree species to ensure indigenous biodiversity.
The trees will serve not only to rehabilitate sections of the admiralty reserve, but also as living educational examples for residents and visitors to the beach.
Anne Skelton, an Ezemvelo honorary officer, has helped the conservancy select rare trees suited to the local micro-climate, while Indigiflora Indigenous Nursery in Munster has supplied trees at substantially discounted prices.
The conservancy is also inviting local schools, in conjunction with the local community police forum, to become involved in the tree planting.
The initiative forms part of the conservancy’s wider plans to establish an information kiosk at the main beach.
The conservancy has been working with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality environmental officer Fanisa Cele to establish the kiosk, which will open on Heritage Day (Thursday) from 09:00 to midday.
O’Neill’s Insurance has donated a wooden hut for the kiosk, while GP Security has supplied a security system and CCTV.
Residents have contributed furniture, shelves, books, cladding, paint and other materials, while several Ezemvelo honorary officers are assisting with educational content and guidance.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment also supplied posters, thanks to Thabisil Xulu.
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