KNYSNA NEWS - The Planting for Pledge project, while starting out as a simple tree-planting exercise in Knysna's Pledge Nature Reserve (partly in response to an initiative of Ian Risely, the Rotary international president), has grown into something much more.
Risely issued a challenge to all Rotary clubs around the world that this year, each Rotary member should plant a tree. This would mean that over 1.2-million trees would be planted worldwide.
By engaging with SANParks Garden Route, the reserve and the Knysna Municipality, among others, it has become a well-researched, appropriately focused and meaningful project for Knysna, especially in the aftermath of the fires in June 2017.
Two Rotary clubs involved
Partnering with Chatsworth Rotary Club is also a highly significant component, as is the involvement of the two Anns clubs.
The Pledge trustees undertook to identify what trees and shrubs are needed, to ensure a rich diversity of species, and to ensure that all plants are indigenous and able to thrive under local conditions. Thirty species were selected and sourced, some of which are wild peach, cheesewood, assegaai, kamassi, hard pear and the Cape chestnut.
On 29 March, Rotary Knysna and Chatsworth members, including the Anns, met at the reserve, in the pouring rain, to plant the trees they had donated, to replace those burnt in the fire. From Chatsworth were president Eugene Moodley, his wife Merasha (who is president of their Rotary Ann’s club) and their three young children. We were also joined by their past president Parlem Paramaul and his wife Navi.
Knysna Rotarians Bob Allan and Doug Emanuel (president). Photos: Supplied
160 trees planted – so far
In anticipation of heavy rains on 29 March, a number of trees were planted the day before. By the end of the 29 March planting session about 160 trees were in the ground, thankfully soaking up nature’s bounty. The intrepid gardeners then moved on to Knysna Log-Inn for a small celebration and some welcome warm soup and rolls.
During the lunchtime celebration, a number of people involved spoke briefly about various aspects of the project, including Pledge board chair Peet Joubert, who spoke of the reserve being home to a large number of indigenous trees and birds, and he referred to it as the green heart of Knysna.
The fires destroyed the total infrastructure, including the buildings and their contents, all the records, the manager’s house and about 75% of all the vegetation. The municipality has agreed to rebuild the offices, the education and administration centre, the ablution blocks, the amphitheatre and the manager’s house.
More friends than ever
Joubert went on to say that the fire had given the natural vegetation an opportunity to rejuvenate, and has also made Pledge a great number of new friends who are now supporting it and helping to rebuild it to its former glory.
The Rotary Anns Jean Allan, Jacqui von Ribbeck and president Fern Emanuel.
Pat Nurse, a Pledge trustee but also known as the Bird Lady of Knysna, spoke of the estimated 100 different species of birds that inhabit the reserve, including three that are named after the town: the Knysna woodpecker, the Knysna warbler and the Knysna turaco, better known as the Knysna loerie. She pointed out that Knysna is the only town or city in South Africa with birds named after it.
300 plant species
Nanna Joubert, also a trustee (and if Pat is the Bird Lady then she should be the Plant Lady) enlightened the guests on the over 300 different species of plants in the reserve. Over time she has enlisted the help of experts to identify all of them.
Until recently, the reserve may have been one of the best-kept secrets in Knysna, but since the fire, and Nanna’s hard work on social media, it has now had many more visitors. She would like the reserve to be better promoted as an integral part of Knysna.
Finally reserve manager Mervyn Crous spoke about the popular Moonlight Walks he had previously introduced, which he hopes can begin again once the reserve has regenerated a little more and the flora and fauna are reestablished.
The visitors from Chatsworth: Rotary president Eugene Moodley and his family and past president Parlem Paramaul land his wife.
More to come
When the planting project is finally completed, 253 trees and 50 shrubs will have been planted. The Chatsworth and Knysna Rotary clubs, with their Anns, will have contributed significantly to making our environment more beautiful.
The two clubs would like to thank a number of people and business: VPN for the aerial survey of the reserve; T&T Construction, for providing labour and a truck to clear the parking area; SANParks for providing labour to clear the site and prepare the holes for planting; and Knysna Log-Inn for last-minute assistance in providing a dry space after the planting session.
Read a previous article: Join the drive to regreen Knysna
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