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Tree Planting Campaign

Tree Planting Campaign

Trees are significant resources for a sustainable future in our urban environment. They largely bring socio-economic and environmental prosperity in our city. They enhance a clean ecosystem and bio-diversity to thrive during this climate change crisis. It should be noted that this natural resource needs delicate management since they hold residents’ future. Every resident in the city has the task and responsibility to monitor and care for these natural resources for future generations. Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) as a community leader has taken the leading role in protecting this natural wonder. GRRA will not be doing this alone, it needs other stakeholders in the city which include schools, churches, government, local authorities, corporate sector to preserve, renew and improve tree cover in Gweru.

This blueprint lays the foundation in which GRRA and its partners shall follow to achieve the mission, vision and objectives set out in “Re-Greening Gweru”. Our Association shall take a strategic approach for future management of our tree planting campaigns in our city.

Over the years, the tree planting initiative has been encouraged by government but once a year which does not correspond to the number of trees cutdown everyday. Thus, highlighting the need to submit solutions to combat this environmental issue in Gweru and the country at large. GRRA has taken the initiative to mobilise different sectors of the community to take the call for the preparation of a Tree Planting Campaign Strategy followed by a series of concerns about the replacement of felled trees in various parts of Gweru. It is very critical for GRRA to take the campaign to residents because:

  1. Trees will improve the outlook of our great city for residents in the sense of their livelihoods and quality of life.
  2. Trees are very important towards Gweru City’s ecosystem and biodiversity.
  3. Trees mitigate urban temperatures.

GRRA will encourage the plantation of fruit trees in the city so as to minimise the cutting down of trees. Due to GRRA’s environment committee’s planning strategy new trees have been planted at a recently launched at Salvation Army Church in Mkoba 14 with Gweru City Council and local leaders’ donations. Therefore GRRA’s resolutions are to implement a Tree Planting Campaign Strategy to protect and improve Gweru’s ecosystem for the future.

The advancement of the Tree Planting Campaign Strategy will provide and contribute towards achieving vision 2030 and “Re-Greening Gweru” to become a sustainable urban environment.

The Tree planting Campaign Strategy will enhance:

  1. Preserving and protection of existing trees.
  2. Maintaining the existing trees.
  3. Facilitation and engagement with residents in the planting of new trees.

Our modus operandi will be preservation, management and sustenance of trees  as the three pillars of our Tree Planting Campaign Strategy.

The tree planting mission

Giving Gweru A Greener Tomorrow’ in a way that improves our environment, social outcomes for our people, and economic performance in our city.

Strategic Objectives

This strategy will deliver on the following objectives;

  • Produce one million trees on quality tree seedlings by 2030 needed to increase tree cover
  • Implement National policies, legislations and rules that require increased tree planting by 2030;
  • Enhance conservation and protection of Natural forests on public, community and private lands and rehabilitation of degraded areas;
  • Strengthen Coordination and collaboration in the governance of the forest sector;
  • Establish commercial forest plantation on public, private and community lands to provide adequate and sustainable timber, poles and fuelwood for industrial and domestic consumption;
  • Implement innovative restoration programs, including the Re-Greening Gweru Initiative; Greening of infrastructure and Institutions,
  • Enhanced city tree planting campaigns through national and county tree planting events, public education, awareness, sensitization;
  • Adopt use of alternative Energy Sources and Efficient wood conversion and utilization technologies by institutions, industry and households;

How are we going to do this:

  • Greening of Institutions such as churches, schools, parks,

There are more than a million students in primary, secondary schools and teachers training colleges in Zimbabwe. This strategy will leverage on the pupils and students to enhance the tree cover through;

i) Establishment of woodlots and boundary planting.

ii) Creation of environmental awareness.

iii) Planting and adoption of at least two trees by the students.

  • Public education, awareness and sensitization on tree growing.

This strategy seeks to educate, sensitize and create awareness to the public for the uptake of tree growing. The following interventions will be undertaken through;

  1. i) Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy on tree growing.
  2. ii) Media campaigns through print, electronic and social platforms.
  • Mobilize the public for the National Tree Planting Campaigns.

This strategy seeks to mobilize the public for the uptake of tree growing.  Marking of the International Day of Forests. Creation of partnerships with the private sector to support the campaigns. Creating partnerships with the government, corporate sector and general public.