By Marian Pace
Some of the local youth and Scouts who planted the trees. Photo: Steve Camp
On Saturday 5 September the KwaZulu Natal 1st Hillcrest Scout Group kicked off spring with an Arbor Day youth tree planting celebration as part of SCOUTS South Africa’s Messengers of Peace Programme in partnership with Nangu Thina and funded by the German Scout Association DPSG. Participants from 11 schools in the greater Hillcrest community joined forces to plant 30 indigenous Natal Fig trees (ficus Natalensis ) along the newly widened Inanda road.
One of the project goals was to leave a lasting legacy that would serve to demonstrate the Hillcrests’ youths passion and commitment to their community`s environment. The two metre high Natal Fig trees will form an impressive avenue in years to come along Inanda road.
“I think getting the youth out here to help us plant these trees is really important,” said 1st Hillcrest Ranger Sarah Done (16). “They learn about their environment and get to call these “their trees” every time they drive along Inanda road.”
“It’s important to help the environment,” said Scout Tyron Dolloway (14) from 1st Hillcrest, “Everyone should plant a tree at some stage.”
“It provides a platform for organisations like ours to advocate the sustainable use of all natural resources and to contribute to the development of safe, clean and green communities,” said KZN Regional Commissioner, Steve Camp . With over 70 youth participating in this Inanda road tree planting, he was particularly grateful to Martin and East, Ladybird Landscapers, Nangu Thina and the German Scout Association DPSG, who provided the funds to initiate for all this community based environmental project.