The learners and staff at Union Preparatory School, Graaff-Reinet, celebrated Arbour Week, which is held annually during the first week of September, with a special tree-planting ceremony this morning, Friday, 6 September.

Every year at Union, this week is viewed as an opportune time to mobilize and educate the learners about the importance of planting indigenous trees as a practical and symbolic gesture towards sustainable environmental management.

In total, the children assisted in planting three Camdeboo Stinkwood trees, which will not only enhance the overall aesthetics of the school’s grounds, but will also commemorate the learners’ contribution to its preservation.“The school planted these indigenous trees not only as a gesture of sustainable environmental management but with the hope that many of the children will, when they visit the school later in life, remember that they planted the trees,” said principal Ms Leona Rich.

Children also enjoyed Mr Marchant van Rooyen’s short talk on the benefits that trees bring to the environment.