Going Green: Establishing Sustainable School and Community Gardens
CapeNature, has recently launched a new project under its Plant One Million Tree Campaign. The Greening Initiatives project aims to help schools and communities become more environmentally friendly by providing assistance in planning, creating, and maintaining indigenous gardens and garden areas.
The initiative is a long-term project that encourages schools to create food gardens using sustainable practices and to green their surrounding spaces with non-invasive edible or indigenous plants. By doing so, schools can provide hands-on learning opportunities for learners about nutrition, life skills, and biodiversity. Additionally, these gardens can offer habitat for wildlife, attracting more birds and other biodiversity.
Community gardens are also a great way to improve food security, encourage economic empowerment, protect the environment, improve health and well-being, promote education and skill development, foster social cohesion, and aid in the fight against climate change. These gardens can be effective instruments for tackling the social, economic, environmental, and health issues that South African communities face, as well as for fostering resilience and sustainable development.
The Western Cape has incredibly unique flora and experiences a different wet season compared to the rest of South Africa. CapeNature urges residents of the Western Cape to grow indigenous plants or non-invasive fruit tree species during the winter's wetter months, rather than during the summer. Water is normally in plentiful supply during the rainy season, which is crucial for plant growth. Because they have a reliable source of water, newly planted seeds and seedlings have a higher chance of germination and establishment.
By promoting sustainable practices through the Greening Initiatives project, CapeNature hopes to cultivate environmental concern and support overall growth in South African communities. Creating usable green spaces over a few years or as needed can provide an exceptional and beneficial educational experience for students while fostering sustainability and environmental awareness.
In conclusion, the Greening Initiatives project is an excellent opportunity for schools and communities to contribute to a more sustainable future by promoting environmentally friendly practices. By working together, we can create a greener and healthier world for generations to come.
Picture above: Sunridge Primary School receiving garden tools and trees from CapeNature
Related News
CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR EXTERNAL MEMBER OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Applications are hereby invited for candidates to serve on the Audit and Finance Committee of CapeNature.
The member shall be independent from CapeNature, be contracted for a maximum period of two terms of three years each and will be remunerated for attendance at meetings.
Closing date for applications: 3 July 2026
Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026
The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit.
Huis River aquatic invertebrate survey strengthens partnerships for freshwater ecosystem conservation
In the upper reaches of the Huis River near Barrydale, a recent aquatic macroinvertebrate survey is helping to inform conservation decisions for the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli), including the potential expansion of its range into upstream habitats in the river. The survey was conducted in partnership with
Ongoing efforts to safeguard the Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin through monitoring
The Critically Endangered Tradouw redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli) is one of South Africa’s most range-restricted freshwater fishes. It is endemic to the Huis–Tradouw River catchment near Barrydale in the Western Cape. The species is listed as Critically Endangered due to its small and fragmented distribution, threats from invasive fish species, pollution, water abstraction, and habitat degradation.
Western Cape Government Prepares for Midweek Storm
Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, today said that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre had been briefed by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) on a cut-off low-pressure system expected to affect the Central Karoo and eastern parts of the Garden Route on Wednesday and Thursday this week. According to SAWS, the cut-off low-pressure system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds
Western Cape conservation efforts highlighted on World Biodiversity Day
Every year on 22 May, International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is commemorated, and is meant to increase awareness about the many wonders of biodiversity, the numerous threats to it, and more importantly, what we can do to reduce or eliminate these threats. It marks 34 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) came into force and reinforces the pledge