MEDIA STATEMENT
Monday, 15 April 2025
For Immediate Release
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo joins the African movement this Indigenous Tree Day
As the continent prepares to celebrate Indigenous Tree Day (ITD), which is observed on 15 April 2025, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo will join other African countries in a drive to prioritise greening for its people.
Indigenous Tree Day is a call to action to nations across the African continent to plant indigenous trees in their communities. This movement, in its second year, brings together scores of conservationists and communities in a bid to combat the effects of climate change through a collective tree-planting initiative.
The need for collaborative interest, investment in the environment, and shared responsibility will have far-reaching success stories for ensuring that the air we breathe is clean.
Trees are incredible purifiers of the atmosphere. They absorb poisonous gases like carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, amongst others. Planting indigenous trees combat biodiversity loss and restore the continent’s natural canopy for years to come.
City Parks and Zoo has planted approximately 6352 indigenous trees across all seven regions for Quarter 3.
In observing ITD, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, as the custodians of greening in the City of Joburg will be planting 30 trees at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens tomorrow, 15 April 2025.
This year’s theme, “Building a Global Movement for Native Tree Conservation”, emphasises the vital role of trees in African communities, their traditional value, and how we, as Africans, can turn the tide against climate change by restoring our natural environment.
Although Joburg is deemed the biggest human-made forest in the world, with an estimate of over 3.2 million trees, JCPZ is dealing with the ongoing illegal felling of these precious trees. Residents are urged to refrain from removing healthy street trees as these are the property of the City of Joburg. Dead or infected trees should be reported to City Parks and Zoo on 011 712 6600/6617 or by using our social media platform.
Together, we can plant a forest, one tree at a time. Be part of the change for a greener, African continent.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jenny Moodley: Spokesperson, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
Contact: 082 8030 748
Email: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
