1. Arbour Week will run from 1 - 7 September 2003.
2. The theme for Arbour Week 2003 is "TREES ARE OUR HERITAGE".
3. Arbour Week offers many opportunities for implementing the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RCNS). All learning areas can be linked to the theme.
4. Because the Western Cape is a winter rainfall area, Arbour Week is not the best time of the year to plant trees. Schools can, therefore, use Arbour Week for consolidation and to celebrate trees already planted.
5. The two trees of the year are Rhus chirindensis (Red Currant) and Pterocarpus angolensis (Wild Teak). Of these, only the Rhus grows in the Western Cape. It is, therefore, not recommended that schools plant the Pterocarpus as part of their greening programme. Trees and shrubs should always be selected for their specific location and climatic conditions.
6. The Department for Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) will once again supply schools with trees for Arbour Week. To prevent high numbers of trees dying due to lack of care and to encourage accountability at school level, the following conditions will apply for 2003:
6.1 Schools must apply in writing to DWAF for trees. The application form is attached.
6.2 Schools should express some form of commitment to keeping the trees watered and alive.
6.3 Schools should indicate how they plan to link Arbour Week to the RCNS.
6.4 Schools whose applications for 2002 could not be processed in time will be considered first.
7. The number of trees a school may apply for is between 1 and 5. If more are required, a strong motivation should be made. All applications will be considered on merit and on the availability of trees.
8. Completed forms should be sent to
Mr Siya Kobese
DWAF
Private Bag X16
Sanlamhof
7532					
or faxed to (021) 950 7277
9. The closing date for forms to be returned to DWAF is 31 July 2003. Applications received after this date will only be attended to the following year.
10. Schools will be notified as to the success of their applications, and when and where they may collect their trees.


SIGNED: P.A. VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:06:05

Tree application form  (size: 23 KB)