MEDIA STATEMENT
Thursday, 22 May 2025
For Immediate Release
Commemorating International Day for Biological Diversity 2025
The City of Johannesburg, led by its greening and conservation entity, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), joins the global community in commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”. This year’s theme calls for urgent and unified action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and reinforces the importance of aligning development efforts with environmental stewardship.
As part of ongoing local efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity, significant progress is being made through the much-needed Suncasa Project, a transformative intervention along the Jukskei River. This initiative, funded through a strategic partnership between Canadian government stakeholders and private sector contributors, aims to rehabilitate and restore vital urban ecosystems, mitigate flood risks, and improve water quality for surrounding communities along the Jukskei River that flows into the Braamfontein Spruit.
Similarly, along the Moroka Dam, a Danish delegation are currently visiting, sharing best practices and supporting restoration and flood mitigation programmes in Soweto. The Danes in close partnership with the Johannesburg Roads Agency and JCPZ are focusing on revitalising aquatic and riparian ecosystems that are critical for both biodiversity and climate resilience.
These interventions not only align with international frameworks but also reflect the City's commitment to green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning.
In celebration of Biodiversity Day, JCPZ will be planting six fruit trees and conducting various environmental education awareness sessions at Nomzamo Madikizela Mandela Primary School in Braamfischerville on the Day. This is amongst other tree planting initiatives at Olifantsvlei Cemetery and in Alexandra Township. Learners at the event will be empowered with knowledge on the importance of biodiversity, the role of trees in urban ecosystems, and how every individual can contribute to conservation efforts.
Biodiversity underpins all life on Earth — it provides the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. However, it continues to face threats from habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. In Johannesburg, initiatives such as the, River Health Programme and Alien Plant Control Programme are active steps toward reversing this trend. These programmes encourage community involvement, promote the planting of indigenous trees, and help remove invasive species that harm local habitats.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo urges all residents, institutions, and stakeholders to be part of the solution and to work collaboratively in protecting the natural world that sustains us.
Let us build a future of harmony with nature and ensure that sustainable development includes the voices of both people and the planet. ENDS
ENDS
Issued on behalf of
Thanduxolo Mendrew, Managing Director
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jenny Moodley: Spokesperson, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
Contact: 082 8030 748
Email: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
For more information and updates, please visit the JCPZ website at www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com and follow our social media platforms: Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoburgParks; Twitter: @JoburgParksZoo; Instagram: @JoburgParksZoo
The City of Johannesburg wholly owns Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. The greening and conservation entity manages, maintains, and preserves parks, open spaces, cemeteries, nature reserves, street trees, and the Johannesburg Zoo. Through their work, JCPZ strives to enhance the quality of life, promote a healthy, active lifestyle, and preserve the rich history found in cemeteries for the well-being of all residents.
