Pupils from Springfield Covenant Senior School, Plumstead High School and Rosmead Central Primary School joined City departments in the celebrating Earth Day in Wynberg Park.
Image: supplied
Young environmental champions, community stakeholders and City departments commemorated Earth Day at Wynberg Park last Thursday, April 17.
On its 55th anniversary, Earth Day’s theme this year was "Our Power, Our Planet", with campaigners calling on "everyone to unite around renewable energy" to help triple clean electricity by 2030.
Earth Day’s call for climate action was brought to life through a multi-departmental collaboration. The City’s Energy Department hosted an informative display on renewable power, while Environmental Management facilitated a hands-on environmental education programme for pupils from Springfield Covenant Senior School, Plumstead High School and Rosmead Central Primary School.
As lead organiser, the Recreation and Parks Department focused on tree planting, carbon reduction, and greening public spaces.
In addition to participating in interactive sessions and educational displays, pupils conducted energy and carbon emissions audits of their respective schools. They then recommended quick and cost-effective steps that each school could take to reduce their energy use and carbon emissions. Each school presented their results using posters.
Twenty indigenous trees were planted in the park.
According to the City, the chosen species are already present in the park, have demonstrated a high survival rate and are not reproductive hosts for the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
“Our youth are key partners in securing a more sustainable future and events like these are vital to inspiring action. By planting trees and sparking conversations around clean energy and climate change, we are turning awareness into action - right here in our communities,” said Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Francine Higham.
Rory Rochat, from the Friends of Wynberg Park, says the Earth Day celebrations were a reminder of the role our community plays in shaping a sustainable future. “It was inspiring to see so many young people engage in tree planting and learn about the importance of protecting our environment. We are proud to partner with the City in making Wynberg Park a hub for environmental education and action.”
Ward 62 Councillor Emile Langenhoven said Earth Day is a call to action for each of us to care for the spaces we share. “Seeing young people take the lead in both planting trees and evaluating their own carbon footprint gives me hope that our efforts today will bear fruit in the years to come. Wynberg Park is a special part of our ward, and it is one of two of the “Great Parks” in Ward 62. It is heartening to see it come alive with learning, collaboration and a shared vision for a greener, healthier future.”
Springfield Convent School highlighted two of their ongoing environmental restoration projects. With permission from the City, pupils collect Silver Tree seeds from Wynberg Park and propagate them on school grounds. The initiative aims to reintroduce Silver Trees to the campus, where they once grew naturally before being lost due to development.
The school also showcased their conservation work focused on protecting the endangered Western Leopard Toad. Their efforts aim to safeguard the remaining population by controlling the spread of invasive Guttural Toads, thereby helping to preserve the delicate ecological balance and support local biodiversity.