GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A dedicated group of residents recently teamed up with the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality to establish Graaff-Reinet's very first Tree Committee.
The primary objective of this committee is to ensure that a uniform set of standards is applied in managing trees in Graaff-Reinet.
Committee chairperson, Judy Caryer, says the committee has been long in the making and passionate individuals have been planting and maintaining trees for many years, and now that Director of Community Services, Gewnynne Hermanus and members of his team - Rory Boggenpoel, Sonwabo Langbooi, Zamuxolo Matha - embrace the idea, it is a reality.
Community members Linda Walker, Cecil Jantjies and Denise Grootboom immediately agreed to serve on the committee.
The need for a formal Tree Committee was highlighted when Caryer recently witnessed two big trees being cut down in front of the Methodist Church. She approached the municipality and to her delight Hermanus was enthusiastic.
She says the municipality has a very good tree management policy that will serve as a guideline and they are now awaiting Council's ratification to start their activities.
The committee plans to maintain the existing tree population and to plant new trees in empty spaces, turning barren plots into green oases of beauty. Not only do trees add aesthetic value, but also contribute significantly to the overall health and well-being of communities.
Trees provide shade, purify the air, reduce noise pollution, and even attract wildlife. The committee aims to get the community excited and involved in the planting and nurturing of trees, and will educate and train people how to plant, prune and nurture trees.
They hope this will foster a sense of responsibility amongst young and old.
The Tree Committee encourages everyone to take part in the green initiatives and cultivate a beautiful heritage that residents can be proud of for generations to come.
Trees were donated and planted in honour of the late Karin Marais who was killed in 2021.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
