A collaborative spirit between council and the community for a greener, more sustainable environment was exemplified at an outdoor event held in commemoration of national Arbor Month at Radloff Park in Somerset West on Friday 6 September.
The event saw the City of Cape Town’s recreation and parks department join hands with learners from local schools who participated in educational activities, including tree planting, to promote environmental awareness and stewardship while highlighting the importance of maintaining and growing green spaces in the community.
This year’s Arbor Month theme, “Promoting Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management”, aligns with the City’s commitment to raising awareness of the importance of trees and addressing the critical threat posed by the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) beetle to the urban forest canopy.
Somerset West was the first area in the metropole to be affected by PSHB, with the beetle first detected in the Helderberg community in 2019. Radloff Park, with its many reproductive host trees such as English oaks and Poplars, has been significantly impacted, making it a focal point for this year’s Arbor Month activities.
The infestation has resulted in the loss of many trees, and the landscape continues to change as the City works to combat the spread of this invasive species.
As part of the City’s commitment to urban greening, the department planted PSHB resistant trees in the park to replace those lost.
“These efforts are a critical part of the City’s strategy to preserve and enhance the urban forest, ensuring long-term benefits such as carbon absorption, air purification, biodiversity protection and climate regulation,” said Patricia van der Ross. Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health.
“While the PSHB poses a significant threat to our city’s trees, it is through events like this and ongoing efforts, we remain dedicated to addressing these challenges. By replacing the trees lost and continuing our greening efforts, we not only safeguard our urban canopy but also promote environmental awareness and community involvement.”
Helderberg Nature Reserve and the Invasive Species Unit from the City’s environmental management department were present at the event to engage with learners from Somerset West Methodist Primary, Solomon Qatyana Primary, Beaumont Primary, Danie Ackermann Primary, Lwandle High, Mondeor Primary, Rusthof Primary and Nomzamo Primary, Tereo Community School, as well as the Eco Rangers Environmental Club. They provided educational insights into the PSHB beetle, its impact on the community’s trees and the importance of urban forest conservation.
Radloff Park, popular among residents for its active and passive recreational opportunities, showcases the resilience of the Mother City’s green spaces, even as they adapt to the challenges posed by invasive species. The park also benefits from an active and dedicated Friends group, which plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing the area.
The Arbor Month event underscores the importance of community collaboration, including the efforts of Friends groups, in preserving these valuable spaces.
Since April, coinciding with the City’s tree planting season, 1 588 trees have been distributed from Newlands Nursery.
Trees vary in size from 20 litre to 500 litre bags. Trees have also been planted in the Strand and Somerset West areas as part of the City’s efforts to restore and enhance the green environment.
Many of these trees are large specimens, bigger than 250 litres in bag size, providing an immediate and significant impact on the landscape. This is a considerable increase compared to previous years, demonstrating the City’s continued commitment to tree replacement and environmental sustainability.
Community members across the City are encouraged to celebrate Arbor Month by contacting their local ward councillor about tree-planting initiatives in their parks and public open spaces. They are also encouraged to join or establish Friends groups to help care for trees, as these play a vital role in the environment.
