A tree-planting initiative that was recently launched by Stellenbosch University (SU) will be aimed at reducing the university’s carbon footprint and creating greater engagement with students and staff regarding environmental issues.
The tree-planting programme run by the SU faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS) Dean’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (DACES) was originally set to take place earlier in the year, but as a result of the various lockdowns and other Covid-19 complications, the programme started on 10 August. It is scheduled to end on 7 September, according to Christine Groenewald, project coordinator of the FMHS DACES. PHOTO: Caitlin Maledo
This was according to Christine Groenewald, the project coordinator of the SU faculty of medicine and health sciences’ (FMHS) Dean’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (DACES). The tree-planting initiative, which was launched on 10 August, is run by DACES, according to Groenewald.
“The university has a massive carbon footprint. Mainly with our energy usage, but obviously, all of the other factors like waste and water […] also play into it. So, we need to change the thinking of people, so that they are more in tune with the effect that their living habits have on nature,” said Groenewald.
“I love how hands-on it is. We’re always told there [are] ways to get involved and there [are] things to do to improve our sustainability as a res, but it’s actually pretty rare to find such a tangible way to physically help,” said Alexandra Hoek, a second-year SU student and resident at Irene Ladies Residence. “I love the fact that I can come and see, I planted that tree…and come back in 20 years and say, ‘Oh, look how my trees grew.’” PHOTO: Caitlin Maledo.
This is the first year that the committee has encouraged external engagement from students and staff at the university, said Groenewald. Students and staff have been invited to plant trees in specific areas, as this plays a role in the tree growth, according to Sivuyile Kweleta, senior horticulturist of facilities management at SU.
“We’re not just dropping trees. We’re planting carefully. There are processes that we will follow that are very thoughtful before we place a tree,” said Kweleta.
The tree-planting programme run by the SU faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS) Dean’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (DACES) operated in several areas on Stellenbosch University’s main campus. These include the Rooiplein, Simonsberg Men’s Residence, the Conservatorium and Irene Ladies Residence, to name a few. Even though the number of locations to plant the trees were limited, any student or staff member of the university could attend, said Groenewald. PHOTO: Caitlin Maledo.
Approximately 42 trees have been planted in several areas around SU’s main campus since the start of the programme, said Groenewald. Among these were five trees planted in front of Irene Ladies Residence (Irene) on 24 August, she said.
“We are one of the residences that have Jan Marais [Nature Reserve] right here. So, we are quite lucky with biodiversity in the sense of the birds and the insects,” said Sarah Virgin, an Irene house committee member who manages sustainability at the residence.
The trees used for the programme are indigenous to South Africa and are “water-wise”, like the silver oak and river bushwillow trees that were planted outside Irene, said Kweleta.
The silver oak tree (seen above) is indigenous to the Western Cape and grows up to five metres or six metres tall, according to Sivuyile Kweleta, senior horticulturist of facilities management at SU. Kweleta explained that it is very important to understand the root system of a tree before planting it. PHOTO: Caitlin Maledo.
“With our new environmental sustainability plan, we are planting more indigenous trees. So, a lot of the trees that are actually dying, because of the drought a few years ago, […] have been exotic trees. That’s trees that you don’t normally find in the Western Cape,” said Groenewald.
Sivuyile Kweleta, senior horticulturist of facilities management at SU, explains why it is preferable to plant trees during the winter months.
Students and staff who would like to be involved in the initiative can attend the tree-planting events to lend a hand. The next event will be held at the SU Civil Engineering building in Hammanshand Road on 31 August at 10:00, according to Groenewald.