Community Tree PlantingNewsTrees in Shared Spaces

Planting a Legacy this Arbor Month

14,137 Trees and Counting – Planting a Legacy this Arbor Month – 2017 – Food & Trees for Africa

JOHANNESBURG – September 01 2017 – The 1st of September, Arbor Day, will see Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) and their partners planting trees at five schools across four provinces in South Africa. This is the beginning of a month of intensive planting where at least 14,137 trees will be planted across the country. We encouraged all individuals, organisations and businesses to “Plant a Legacy” with us this Arbor month – and they have stepped up to the challenge. Despite these commitments we have almost 2000 schools on our national database waiting to receive trees, and are encouraging those who have not yet made a donation, to do so.


Arbor Day and Arbor Week is a time for all South Africans to celebrate trees and reflect on the benefits they yield in terms of our environment, and our society. Not only do they offset carbon emissions, they significantly improve quality of life. “It is essential that we keep planting in tree-less urban and rural areas so that all South Africans feel the benefit of trees,” says Emily Jones, Trees and Carbon Manager at FTFA. “With the current sponsors on board we have been able to make significant progress in our aim to green South Africa.”

Absa Vehicle Asset Finance will be planting 8,728 trees through its Green Vehicle Asset Finance offering, which plants one tree for every low carbon vehicle sold. These trees will be planted across Food & Trees for Africa’s Greenbelt in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus. They will be planted at 3500 homes and over 50 schools.

Konica Minolta South Africa (KMSA), a division of Bidvest Office (Pty) Ltd, have committed to plant 1810 trees this month at schools, community centres and clinics in Johannesburg, Polokwane and Newcastle. This is a part of an ongoing partnership where KMSA plants trees to offset their carbon footprint. Through this donation about 70 schools and community institutions will receive fruit and indigenous shade trees.

Tiger Brands have recognised the importance of environmental resilience within the context of food security and are planting 1000 trees as the first phase of a gardens for homes programme in Mohlakeng in Johannesburg. Fruit trees will enable these gardens to have a diversity of harvest, and the indigenous shade trees will improve soil fertility and overall yield. This is part of a longer term food security project across 8 communities nationally. You cannot nourish a nation without nourishing the environment.

1000 trees have been donated by Ackermans for greening of Mamelodi, a township east of Pretoria. 325 homes will receive 1 shade and 1 fruit tree each and about 10 schools, community centres and clinics in the area will also receive trees. Property REIT, Octodec Investments has also committed to plant 750 trees at homes in Mamelodi, helping us to systematically green the area ward by ward. This forms part of Octodec’s strategy to foster sustainability in the build environment.

The Public Investment Corporation have committed to plant 750 trees in Ga Rankuwa – to be planted at homes in the area. The new RDP houses will really become homes when the homeowners receive trees for their new gardens.

We’d like to also thank the following sponsors for coming on board to help us plant trees at schools across the country: AON, Fidelity, Nampak Limited, The Foschini Group, National Bioproducts Institute, Avis and Kulula.com. Their donations have gone towards the planting of trees at 22 schools nationally.

Through these activities 172 schools, community centres and clinics will be matched with trees, 5216 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide will be offset and 180 Community Educators will be trained as climate and tree planting champions in their communities, and receive short term employment. What a great legacy we’re planting to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Community Tree Planting Tag, News Tag, Trees in Shared Spaces
Previous Post
Nourishing The Nation with Tiger Brands
Next Post
Set It Right

Related Posts

Seminar to Celebrate the International Day of Forests

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute, Food & Trees for Africa and other role-players will host a seminar on the International Day of Forests under the theme “Forests and Sustainable…

Food and Trees for Africa Plants a Growing Green Legacy

Food & Trees for Africa have been planting trees since 1990. 4.5 million is a number we mention frequently – the number of trees planted to date. Although impressive, this metric is meaningless without the impact stories that accompany it.…

Long Term Food Gardens with Tiger Brands

10 short-term food garden projects supported by Tiger Brands and Food and Trees for Africa have come to an end. We are happy with their progress, which will see their gardens go through the winter. We have encouraged the gardeners…

Indigenous Tree Planting in George | Earth Day River Project

This Earth Day, on 22 April, an indigenous tree planting initiative in George brought the Malgas River to life in a partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTA) and global investment manager Schroders, where a significant riparian buffer zone…

Coronation Fund Managers Greening Mamelodi

Coronation Fund Managers and Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) are celebrating Earth Day by planting 1 500 trees nationwide. Coronation has noticed that presentation print-outs and flyers are often discarded by delegates at its regular conferences. This year, Coronation…

Visions of a food secure future

I cross the street, shielding my eyes from the strong South African sun already beating down despite the early hour, and hop onto the shaded sidewalk. Immediately, a cool breeze floats over me, chilling the sweat beading my brow. I…
keyboard_arrow_up