Woodlands Dairy has announced that for Abour Week, it has joined forces with Kouga Municipality to plant new trees. The initiative will see the duo implementing the Miyawaki afforestation method to achieve the desired outcome.
André Adendorff, sustainability manager at Woodlands Dairy, says that Woodlands Dairy has a strong sense of responsibility to their region and environment, both social and natural.
"We're dedicated to enhancing our environment sustainably, and planting trees is a powerful way to do that. In 2019, we planted 100 Cape Ash trees, and we've since expanded our efforts to public and municipal spaces, including nearly 300 trees along the R330 entering Humansdorp," adds Adendorff.
"These initiatives aim to beautify our region, promote carbon sequestration, reduce erosion, improve soil quality and boost biodiversity," says Adendorff.
The environmental team at Kouga Municipality, including the town engineer, plays a key role in selecting suitable planting areas, considering factors like underground infrastructure.
Adendorff says, "We choose locations where trees will enhance the area's aesthetics, improve biodiversity and, crucially, avoid disrupting infrastructure or services as identified by the municipality."
Marco Engelbrecht, Kouga's environmental management officer, says, "In the past, the municipality has partnered with Woodlands Dairy to jointly plant trees during Arbour Week, like with the planting of screening trees at the landfill site last year, and street trees along the R330."
"As part of our greening plan, the municipality strives to plant 2 000 trees every quarter. Collaborating with Woodlands Dairy to plant a tiny forest at the landfill site entrance was too good of an opportunity to pass up," adds Engelbrecht.
"This type of project is also very unique and the first of its kind in Kouga. Kouga's executive mayor Hattingh Bornman is in support of this collaboration," says Engelbrecht.
Engelbrecht adds that this project follows the Miyawaki afforestation method, which is designed to create forests in a short amount of time.
"It's based on natural reforestation principles using indigenous plants to stimulate growth. Trees planted in this method were found to grow faster, capturing more carbon and improving soil faster than using traditional methods. It promotes higher biodiversity and has proven to be ideal to create forest ecosystems quickly," says Engelbrecht.
Engelbrecht adds that they want to plant a tiny forest at the landfill site.
"Not only will it beautify the landfill site entrance, but also contribute to increasing the local biodiversity by providing a habitat for various species," says Engelbrecht.
Adendorff says that they learned about the greening plan through regular meetings with the municipality.
"We viewed it as a perfect opportunity to participate. The Humansdorp landfill site was identified as a key area, as these locations are often unsightly and neglected in urban improvement efforts. Enhancing this space will greatly improve the aesthetics of our town," says Engelbrecht.
"Our priority is always to plant indigenous trees, as they are better suited to the local environment and climate, while also boosting biodiversity and promoting native species in urban areas. Using the Miyawaki method, we selected and planted a variety of trees and plants close together to create a mini forest," says Adendorff.
"These plants will grow to different heights, forming a canopy layer, an understory, shrubs and ground cover. We've planted Cape Ash, Yellowwood, Milkwood, Cape Laurel, False Olive, Ironwood, Cape Honeysuckle, Spekboom and Calla Lily — all indigenous species with characteristics that will contribute to the envisioned mini forest garden," Adendorff adds.
Woodlands Dairy says that it is dedicated to minimising its ecological impact by adopting a range of sustainable practices. This includes the strategic use of renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaics, biogas and biomass for generating electricity and steam to power their operations.
"Beyond transitioning from carbon-intensive energy sources, we're actively offsetting emissions through carbon reduction initiatives. Planting trees is a natural choice, as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis," Adendorff.
"We're committed to continuing our efforts to plant more trees, enhancing the greenery of public spaces for the community and restoring natural areas to reestablish habitats for birds, amphibians, insects and other wildlife," Adendorff concludes.
For further information, visit www.woodlandsdairy.co.za. you can also follow Woodlands Dairy on Facebook or on LinkedIn.
*Image courtesy of contributor