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- Tree planting tips
When can I plant a tree?
•
Newly planted trees do best when they are exposed to
rainfall and a moderate sunshine. In South Africa,
the best time to plant a tree is during spring.
How do I plant a tree?
•
Carry the tree by the root ball, never by the trunk.
• Dig a square hole deep and wide enough to fit
the root ball comfortably. The size of the hole must
be right for the tree to be planted.
• Place
tree in the hole: removing all plastic wire from the
roots before planting.
• The root collar
(part of the tree where roots flare out) must be at
ground level or slightly higher to allow for
settling. (Optional: Place 100 – 150ml fertilizer in
the hole, mix it with soil.)
• Add soil to
the hole, firmly packing it around the base of the
root ball by hand.
• Cover area around the
tree with mulch less than ankle deep. Mulch can be
leaf litter, pine straw or wood chips. This helps
hold moisture around the tree.
Areas
to plant your tree
• Avoid planting
your tree near or directly below power cables.
• Watch out for underground pipes when choosing
a place to plant your tree.
• Trees that grow as
tall as 20 metres: plant them at least 10 metres
away from your buildings to prevent damage as the
tree grows.
Taking care of my tree
• Newly-planted trees should be watered
immediately after being planted
• To ensure
tree grows healthy, water it once a week. Keep the
soil moist and not soaked.
- Environmentally Friendly!
The Gang Green have chosen the rhino as the logo
for the Environmental committee at the Zoo, as he is
aware of danger early and is even reputed to attempt
to stamp put fires!
 The
Gang Green Team is a group of employees and
volunteers who volunteer their time to address
growing concerns about the Zoo's role in conserving
resources and other matters. The Green Team
researches and makes recommendations on
"earth-friendly" products and practices, especially
ones we can incorporate into the operations of the
Zoo.
A large zoo harbours a whole herd of
environmental issues. From the intense energy and
water consumption to maintain the facilities and
animals, to the enormous amount of waste produced by
daily operations as well as visitors. Keeping a zoo
green is harder than finding aardvark in the wild!
The Zoo is doing its part to conserve endangered
species, such as Wattled Cranes, Ground Hornbills
and others. Now the Zoo is turning attention to
reducing the consumption of natural resources and by
greening its daily operations, thereby reducing its
impact on the environment.
The Zoo's
Green initiative addresses:
Recycling of waste and reducing amounts going to
Landfill, including the large composting areas to
supply the Zoo gardens with quality nutrients. The
Joburg Zoo is also a member of PETCO which is part
of the PET recycling association.
- Creating awareness of the resource consumption
in the Zoo by staff and visitors.
- Creating opportunities to implement sustainable
energy initiatives and use them for education and
awareness.
- Forming partnerships with SASSI (www.wwfsassi.co.za)
and increasing awareness around sustainable seafood
consumption, as well as with Biomimicry SA (www.biomimicry.net)
to encourage thinking on Life�s Principles and
sustainable utilisation.
-
 Recycling
of grey and storm water for use in the Zoo gardens
and dams.
- The conversion of some water bodies into natural
bio-filters to create habitats for smaller species
of insects and amphibians. The tiger pond is a great
example of the bio-filter in action.
Gang Green Events
This year Earth Hour
was celebrated by Zoo staff on the 25th March as
well as by our visitors on the 26th March, with a
Zoo sleepover. Staff were encouraged to sign the
Earth Hour pledge and spend the hour outside in the
Zoo, switch off all non essential appliances.
Look out for the next event to be celebrated -
World Environment Day.
Johannesburg Zoo, has
been certified as environmentally responsible by the
Heritage Environmental Management Company in terms
of the Heritage Rating Programme standards and
conditions. The Zoo has embarked on a journey to
ensure that it meets the standards of responsible
business practice and sustainability.
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Project 90 by 2030 initiative
Johannesburg Zoo received assistance from the NGO
Project 90 by 2030 in showcasing alternative energy
ideas in the Zoo. Three projects were completed, the
first being a biogas digester near the restaurant
and the other, solar panels near the Education
Centre and a small one to run an electric fence for
the cheetah enclosure.
Click here to read
more about the project.
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The Zoo Environmental Policy statement is
included below.
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