On the Block: Arbour week
On the Block, Arbour week: In celebration of National Arbour week, The Green Net has decided to clean up and beautify the landmark area at the entrance to Port Shepstone, known as The Block, a popular fishing and family recreational area in commemoration of Heritage month and our Mighty Green Groves.
NOUN
arbour (noun)
a shady garden alcove with sides and a roof formed by trees or climbing plants trained over a wooden framework.Synonyms:
bower, alcove, grotto, recess, pergola, gazebo, summer house, shady place, shelter, hideaway
This much-loved spot is well known in fishing circles, and most visitors are aware of the fantastic location just under the little black and white checker-board lighthouse that immediately catches the eye as one crosses over the mighty Umzimkulu River. The Green Net is looking forward to supplementing the powerful and positive strides made by Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, who with support from local business and other interested parties, including the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), have redeveloped the basic infrastructure at The Block.
Arbour week is an annual occurrence, usually starting at the beginning of September. This initiative was started by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), as a campaign to highlight the country’s Champion trees, which feature some of the oldest, largest and most culturally significant. Among these are the Sophia Town Oak Tree and the Sagole Baobab Tree in Limpopo, which are part of our heritage. As September is Heritage month in our majestic country, what better way to bring communities together to honour our heritage and enjoy the magnificence of our natural beauty than by planting indigenous trees and plants as a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management.
The Green Net have thought of creating an avenue of corals and other trees along the top sea-side pavement as well as bringing in lots of Spekboom, aloes and even rose-scented geranium.
“Spekboom is an amazing plant. It can take root and regrow, just from simple cuttings from already existing trees. It can quickly reform the soil because it continuously sheds a lot of leaves, which help to build up soil organic carbon,” explains ecologist Anthony Mills,
Anthony Mills, has published extensively on the sub-tropical thicket ecosystem of South Africa, one of the country’s lesser-known plant biomes
“We are running out of time for climate and biodiversity action, and large-scale opportunities like thicket restoration in South Africa must be urgently explored,” says Tim Christophersen, head of UN Environment’s Freshwater, Land and Climate Branch, and Chair of the Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration.
“We would like to support the Government of South Africa and other partners, like Living Lands and Commonland, to realize the potential of the Eastern Cape thicket restoration, as we move into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030.”
And a considered optional extra, could be an EcoBrick bench.
The Green Net, having created a “serenity garden” at their local Catholic church, which features the first EcoBrick bench in KZN (made up from 500l of single-use plastic waste captured and turned into something useful).
Click here for more info.
The Green Net encourages the private sector, governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as the public to be involved in the “Greening” of our local communities and areas. Our environmental organisation intends to dedicate 2 days to clean-up and green-up a section of The Block, depending on budget and sponsorship. Thereafter, there will be follow-ups for ensuring the tidying, watering, and weeding of the Block for 4 months (until the end of 2021).
Share with your family, friends and community groups. Everyone is welcome to participate by cleaning and greening, and of course donations of plants, compost and cash will help us do more.
Visit our “Back-a-Buddy” page to share donations.
Watch this Space for more!
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