Enhancing Ecosystems: One Tree at a Time

AT the start of September, our lodges set out on a mission to plant indigenous trees in our Gondwana Tree-a-Thon to celebrate Sustainability Month.

Over the course of the month, our various lodge staff members, in collaboration with surrounding communities, rolled up their sleeves as they planted a staggering 195 indigenous trees across all of Gondwana’s properties.

Sourced from our very own tree nurseries at Damara Mopane Lodge and Canyon Lodge, we distributed 109 camelthorn (Vachellia erioloba), 18 ana (Faidherbia albida), 10 marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and four wild ebony (Euclea pseudebenus) trees to Godwana’s lodges and Windhoek-based office for planting.

Together, the Windhoek office along with the Kunene, Etosha, Namib, Kalahari and Canyon Collections planted all 109 camelthorn, 18 ana, 10 marula and four wild ebony trees.

Eight of the camelthorn trees were also planted by the Gondwana Care Trust in collaboration with the OneEconomy Foundation’s BeFree Youth Campus and the P.A.Y Centre at Katatura in Windhoek.

For diversity, the Canyon Collection added four wild ebony trees to the mix.

Across the Zambezi Collection, Gondwana’s lodges selected 54 trees specifically suited to the wetter climate of Namibia’s far north-eastern regions.

Together, the lodges planted 21 waterberry (Syzygium cordatum), 13 apple leaf (Philenoptera violacea), 10 bird plum (Phyllogeiton discolor), eight African mongosteen (Garcinia livingstonei), and two wild date (Phoenix reclinata) trees.

Four of the waterberry trees were also planted in joint effort with the Sikunga and Salambala Conservancies, inviting green fingers from the surrounding communities to compound their impact with Gondwana’s.

Trees provide important ecosystem services and resources to communities and wildlife, with indigenous trees being particularly special as they are uniquely adapted to Namibia’s diverse landscapes and climate.

Besides capturing carbon from the atmosphere, stabilising soil, providing food, habitats and shade, and being valued for medicinal and spiritual practices in many Namibian cultures, these trees ultimately provide the oxygen that life depends upon.

These indigenous trees are set to add intangible value to their landscapes, biodiversity and communities for generations to come.

Beyond giving back to nature what belongs to nature during Sustainability Month, Gondwana proudly carries forward the true spirit of sustainability and resilience that unites Namibians, as we plant our way to a greener future together.

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