Project "Trees for Life" in South Africa

Project period:

Project countries:

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November 2008 - October 2010

South Africa

Deutsche Lufthansa "Miles to Help", Foundation Ursula Merz

In co-operation with the Living Lakes partner organisation Wildlands Conservation Trust, the project was developed in the last four years. Since 2005, some parts of the protect were implemented successfully under the involvement of the local population. The focal points are the reforestation of indigenous trees inside of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (former Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park).

Unemployed youths, orphans and single parents with their children are involved predominantly in the project. This target group, the so called “poorest of the poor”, have interest in environmental themes and also have a flair for entrepreneurship. With these measures of help to self-help, the people get new possibilities of income and education in the district Kwa-Zulu Natal.

In the last three years, more than 1,350 people were educated as tree-preneuers by the Wildlands Conservation Trust. These tree-preneurs are organised in so called “Green Teams” and they are instructed in planting vegetation in rural regions. Until now, successful planting campaigns were carried out in the townships of Esikhaweni, Khula, Sokhulu and Mbonambi. Between 300 and 1,000 trees per month were planted in public areas such as schools, halls and clinic grounds and were nurtured for 12 months after planting to enhance their survival.

Further missions of the Green Teams are the progressive removal of alien plants as well as the collection of recyclable waste such as aluminium, bottles and paper in the townships.

With this project, the participants obtain new future prospects as well as self-confidence and make a valuable contribution to the protection of environment and nature conservation in South Africa. Also planned are extensive restoration measures of deforested areas at the Mkhuze River and in the Ongoye Forest.

Since 2006, in the frame of the campaign “Miles to Help” of the Lufthansa AG, the air passengers have the possibility to donate their collected miles to this Living Lakes project.

We believe that this initiative of our partners is exemplary and should be supported. You also have the possibility to support the project of our partner organisaton in South Africa and take part in the CO₂ reduction.