Municipality wins green award
2010-06-10
THE Drakenstein Municipality has won the 2010 Arbor City award competition in the Western Cape. Stellenbosch Municipality came second, followed by City of Cape Town, Cape Agulhas, Hessequa, Witzenberg and Theewaterskloof respectively. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in conjunction with the Institute of Environment and Recreation Management (IERM) introduced the Arbor City Award Competition in 2002. The main objective was to encourage Municipalities to undertake greening initiatives and was rolled out to the Western Cape this year. Through this competition Municipalities were encouraged to undertake greening initiatives, develop greening plans, expansion of greening projects to previously disadvantaged areas, ensure Municipalities comply with relevant legislation regarding greening and raise awareness about the importance and value of greening in communities. Drakenstein Municipality has planted more than 3000 trees over the last three years. In conjunction with Cape Winelands District Municipality more than 2600 trees were donated to new housing developments. Drakenstein’s tree management program, which includes the managing of our oak trees, impressed the judges. Special projects that also ensured the winning of the award were the establishment of a Tree Flowering Garden in Wellington, the Paarl Arboretum, the beautifying of Wellington Industrial Park, greening of town entrances, tree evaluation method, beautifying of previous disadvantage communities, managing of Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve and Drakenstein’s Tree Policy. The competition was tough among all the participating municipalities, especially between Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and the City of Cape Town. Through this process DAFF was able to gather more information on Municipalities’ greening initiatives. This competition is sponsored by Total SA, Malanseuns, Professional Irrigation Services and DAFF. IERM is the main partner. The prize is in the form of cash, trees and water irrigation systems. Other sponsors are welcomed provided that there will be no clash of interest with the above sponsors and they can contact the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Western Cape.
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