agriculture,forestry & fisheriesDepartment: Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa hosts the XIV World Forestry Congress in 2015

ging behind population growth. Total food production in Africa grows at the rate of 2% a year, whereas population grows at a rate of 3%. In the last half of the 20th century, according to the UNCCD, more than 5 billion hectares were affected by one or another form of land degradation, which is more than 60% of the agricultural land in Africa.

Environmentally unsound use of forests and degradation of forest eco-systems significantly contributes to the raise in food insecurity. There are three main ways in which forests and forest ecosystems are re-lated to food security:

Firstly, by providing favourable conditions for agricultural activities by preventing soil erosion, increasing fertility and maintaining soil mois-ture. Tree fodder is furthermore important in cattle breeding;

Secondly, by providing economic and employment opportunities mainly through timber harvesting, but also representing a source of income for agricultural producers in the times of agricultural crises through forest-based small-scale industries and other rural employ-ment;

And thirdly by providing food during food shortages in the form of non-timber forest products.

Agroforestry practices, based on the interaction between trees and soil, crops and livestock, provide an interdisciplinary integrated way to the sustainable use of forests and, in so doing, combating land degra-dation and improving food security. This includes, among other things, integration of tree biomass as manure, increasing shade for crops and stock, yields of fuel wood, small timber and construction materials, watershed management, use of multipurpose trees and trade and marketing of forest products.

Trees of the year and the importance of planting indigenous treesEvery Arbor Week celebration highlights two or three specific trees. The trees are selected from commonly found trees species and the rare tree species. For 2013 the following three tree species have been selected as trees of the year:

1. Virgilia oroboides: black mangrove, swart-wortelboom2. Grewia occidentalis: water berry, waterbessie3. Barringtonia racemosa: red beech, rooiboekenhout

The aim is to encourage people to plant trees at various places so that they are not lost to us and future generations. Indigenous trees are a heritage to our society. They serve various purposes in our lives and in those of other living organisms. They provide an important habitat for the survival of bird, animal and insect species. Our indigenous trees also play an important role in attracting tourists to South Africa. The following are some of the benefits derived from trees:• Trees benefit our lives, we may consider a number of products

derived from trees such as building materials, paper, fibre, oils, gums, syrups, pharmaceutical products, fruit and nuts. Trees provide more than just products and ornamental beauty; they offer an almost endless list of environmental and economic benefits, some of which are crucial to our well-being.

• Trees produce oxygen while breaking down carbon dioxide. Scientists contend that the overabundance of carbon dioxide in

agriculture,forestry & fisheriesDepartment: Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

the earth’s atmosphere will lead to the greenhouse effect. Smog can be filtered by trees as ash, pollen and dust may be trapped by a tree’s foliage.

• Soil is conserved by trees; falling leaves and needles decompose, providing rich nutrients for the soil. The roots of trees prevent soil erosion and tree canopies reduce flooding and rainfall runoff.

• A tree’s various parts absorb sound waves, deflect the waves in different directions, and thereby reduce the sound’s intensity. Properly placed evergreen trees act as a windbreak and an insulator. In the winter, this can translate into lower costs of home heating. In summer deciduous trees will, if strategically placed, provide shade to a home’s roof and outside walls, helping to reduce air-conditioning costs.

• Property values are enhanced by the beauty and charm because of the landscape value of trees. They break up the monotony of masonry, cement, metal and glass along the city streets and sidewalks. Areas with trees often attract more people (e.g. tourists, customers). Recreational areas benefit from the presence of trees.

• Trees are a valuable resource, providing both environmental and economic benefits. By planting even a single tree, eventually a million trees the country can make a difference. Each tree will help to contribute to cleaner air, lower energy costs, greater protection of our soil and water supplies, reduced noise levels, improved food security and a more ambient environment in which to live.

Arbor Week focal areasArbor Week provides a platform to disseminate messages around the following focal areas:

1. GreeningCommunities and schools are encouraged to participate in tree plant-ing and greening programmes for beautification and improvement of their immediate environment.

2. Commercial value of treesThis theme captured the benefit that is derived from making products out of trees such as paper, planks and medicines. Commercial plan-tations and downstream processing industries provide employment and business opportunities, especially in rural areas where there are high levels of poverty and unemployment

3. Veld and forest firesThe focus is on the prevention and combating of uncontrolled wild fires and on encouraging the formation of Fire Protection Associations.

4. Remembrance tree plantingThis is an initiative aimed at encouraging communities and individuals to plant trees in memory of their loved ones and individuals who con-tributed to community development and nation building.

Events, posters and leaflets can be found on the

DAFF Internet: www.daff.gov.za Alternatively, you can contact: Mr Mike Modise

Tel: 012 309 5787 • Fax: 012 309 8939 • E-mail: MichaelMod@daff.gov.za

1–7 September 2013

National Arbor Week

Our forests-our future

National Arbor Week

The history of Arbor WeekThe idea for Arbor Day originally came from Nebraska. When visiting the state today one would not find evidence that the area was once a treeless plain. Yet it was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s.

Among the pioneers moving into the Nebraska territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were na-ture lovers, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs and flowers.

Morton not only advocated tree planting by individuals in his articles and editorials, but he also encouraged civic organ-isations and groups to join in. His prominence in the area in-creased and he became secretary of the Nebraska territory, which provided another opportunity to stress the value of trees.

Arbor Day’s beginningsOn January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day” at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to countries and individuals for planting properly the largest number of trees on that day. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.

According to accounts from the Nebraska City News, April 1885, the City celebrated Arbor Day with a grand parade and a speech by J.Sterling Morton. Students of different grades met at their respective school rooms in the morning for the purpose of planting at least one tree. Each tree that was planted was labelled with the grade, the time planted, and was to be especially cared for by that grade.

When the plantings were completed, 1 000 students formed a line to begin the parade from the various schools to Nebraska City’s opera house. In the parade, each class carried colour-ful banners made of satin with silk lining and trimmed with gold fringe. .

Mr Morton was listened to with much attention, and loudly ap-plauded at the close of his address. This ended the first cel-ebration of Arbor Day as a legal holiday. During the 1870s, other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day and the tradition began in schools nationwide in 1882.

Arbor Day in South Africa Historically, South Africa has not had a culture of tree planting and it was not until the 1970s that a real need to promote tree planting was recognised. The concept of a National Arbor Day ensued from 1973 Green Heritage Campaign. Following re-quests from various bodies, the former Department of Forestry obtained approval in 1982 to establish National Arbor Day that has been celebrated countrywide since 1983. In 1996, the Min-ister of Water Affairs and Forestry, emphasising its importance in South Africa extended Arbor Day from one day to a week. The campaign has evolved into a major event that receives major publicity and public participation throughout South Af-rica.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is the cus-todian of the greening function in South Africa and as such is responsible for the coordination of the Arbor Week Campaign. This function takes place at local government level; therefore it is undertaken in partnership with local government institutions, non-government organisations and community-based organ-isations.

The idea is to highlight the opportunities for sustainable envi-ronmental, social and economic development, community participation, poverty alleviation and job creation in Forestry, thereby contributing towards growth, development and a bet-ter life for all.

Objectives of Greening and Arbor Week in the countryGreening refers to an integrated approach to the planting, care and management of all vegetation in urban and rural areas, to secure multiple benefits for communities. Greening in the South African context takes place in towns, townships and informal settlements specifically because in the past previously disadvantaged areas were not catered for in terms of planning for parks as well as tree planting in streets and open spaces. Arbor Week affords the department and other stakeholders the opportunity to undertake a major national awareness pro-gramme regarding the value of trees in our lives and creating awareness of tree species that are threatened by extinction.

The theme for the 2013 Arbor Week Campaign is “Our Forests – Our Future”The campaign promotes awareness for the need to plant and maintain indigenous trees throughout South Africa, especially for the many disadvantaged communities who often live in barren and water-stressed areas. It further intends to:• Raise awareness of South Africa’s urban and rural greening

initiatives.

• Promote a better understanding of trees, particularly indigenous trees and fruit trees.

• Highlight the important role that trees play in the sustainable development and livelihoods of people and their environment.

• Highlight the role of trees in creating employment, especially in rural areas.

• Highlight the role of fruit trees in addressing food security when integrated with other programmes.

• Encourage communities to participate in various greening activities within their own surroundings.

Role of forests in climate change and food securityIt is well recognised that the world’s forests are of great impor-tance and form the basis for sustaining commercial industries, providing utilisable natural resources and conserving our bio-logical diversity. Because of the reliance of the world’s popula-tion on our forest resources and the clear threat our forests are facing, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 the International Year of Forests with the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the focal point for this cam-paign.

As a result of factors such as population growth, globalisa-tion and climate change, our forest resources are continuously placed under threat, resulting in loss of forest land, land degra-dation and desertification. Our natural resources play a key role in ensuring social, environmental and economic sustainability, combating the negative impact, strengthening food security, addressing climate change, helping the poor to gain con-trol over their destiny and accelerating progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Deforestation and land degradation adversely affect agricul-tural productivity, the health of humans as well as of livestock and economic activities such as ecotourism. Forests and tree cover combat land degradation by stabilising soils, reducing water and wind erosion and maintaining the nutrient cycle in soils. Sustainable use of goods and services from forest ecosys-tems can contribute to poverty reduction and making the rural poor less vulnerable to the effects of land degradation.

Food insecurity and environmental degradation are intricately linked. In the face of the growing world population and the increasing pressure on food supplies, people are forced to use practices which result in short-term increases in yield but are devastating for the land in the medium or long term. In 2001, in 64 out of 105 developing countries, food production was lag-