IN the spirit of Arbour Day, five companies or institutions will, for the first time, be awarded the ‘Botsoc Tree Award 2007’ for their efforts in protecting and planting indigenous trees.
A slide presentation will highlight the efforts of Namibia Breweries Ltd, the Gocheganas Nature Reserve and Wellness Centre, Mecha Fuel Services, St Paul’s College and Bougain Villas shopping mall, the Botanical Society of Namibia announced in a press release yesterday. In future, the awards will be presented on an annual basis around the time of Arbour Day to candidates suggested by members of the Botanical Society of Namibia.* Before the Breweries relocated to their present promises in 1981, all camelthorn trees on the premises were carefully surveyed.The buildings were constructed in such a way as to preserve almost all of them and the large lorries still manoeuvre around the trees carefully.The Botanical Society salutes the management of those days for their farsightedness.We would like to especially name Mrs Hilde and the architect Peter Strack, for insisting on saving the trees against strong opposition from management.Camelthorn trees can grow very old – for camelthorn trees in the Windhoek area every 10 cm of trunk diameter represents 100 years.* While Gocheganas Wellness village was under construction, Mrs Stritter Snr invited the Botanical Society to the premises to identify the indigenous trees and shrubs, which were then saved.Mrs Stritter also planted many indigenous trees and shrubs around the chalets.If these are not currently very visible that is because of the drought which causes the game to come and browse everything within reach.The Botanical Society expresses its appreciation for the ongoing efforts in this respect.* When the BP Service Station in Nelson Mandela Avenue, now known as Mecha Fuel Services and owned by Mrs Rukoro, was upgraded a few years ago, Mike and Helga de Kok, who ran the service station at the time, called in Barbara Curtis, author of the ‘Tree Atlas’, and Mr Voigts of Parks and Gardens, for advice on how to save a large camelthorn tree on the premises.The tree now provides a lovely ambience to the service station as well as to Bowker Street as a whole.Our congratulations go to Mrs Rukoro.We trust that she as well as her staff will take great pleasure in this tree, which is about 330 years old, and protect it from harm.* Annamarie Marais and John Pallet as well as Anna Marais’ mother, well-known artist Christine Marais, were instrumental in laying out a beautiful indigenous garden at St Paul’s College.In this way many children, despite growing up in town, will get to know Ana trees, Sweet thorn, Buffalo thorn and Wild Olive trees as well as Puzzle and Raisin bushes and some others.* Mr and Mrs Steenkamp of Bougain Villas are honoured for preserving and carefully enclosing the lovely big Maerua tree next to the Hebenstreit Street entrance to the premises of this complex.Maerua trees are confined to Namibia, they are evergreen, flower profusely and provide lovely shade.Some trees grow to have a crown diameter of 14 metres.In future, the awards will be presented on an annual basis around the time of Arbour Day to candidates suggested by members of the Botanical Society of Namibia.* Before the Breweries relocated to their present promises in 1981, all camelthorn trees on the premises were carefully surveyed.The buildings were constructed in such a way as to preserve almost all of them and the large lorries still manoeuvre around the trees carefully.The Botanical Society salutes the management of those days for their farsightedness.We would like to especially name Mrs Hilde and the architect Peter Strack, for insisting on saving the trees against strong opposition from management.Camelthorn trees can grow very old – for camelthorn trees in the Windhoek area every 10 cm of trunk diameter represents 100 years.* While Gocheganas Wellness village was under construction, Mrs Stritter Snr invited the Botanical Society to the premises to identify the indigenous trees and shrubs, which were then saved.Mrs Stritter also planted many indigenous trees and shrubs around the chalets.If these are not currently very visible that is because of the drought which causes the game to come and browse everything within reach.The Botanical Society expresses its appreciation for the ongoing efforts in this respect.* When the BP Service Station in Nelson Mandela Avenue, now known as Mecha Fuel Services and owned by Mrs Rukoro, was upgraded a few years ago, Mike and Helga de Kok, who ran the service station at the time, called in Barbara Curtis, author of the ‘Tree Atlas’, and Mr Voigts of Parks and Gardens, for advice on how to save a large camelthorn tree on the premises.The tree now provides a lovely ambience to the service station as well as to Bowker Street as a whole.Our congratulations go to Mrs Rukoro.We trust that she as well as her staff will take great pleasure in this tree, which is about 330 years old, and protect it from harm.* Annamarie Marais and John Pallet as well as Anna Marais’ mother, well-known artist Christine Marais, were instrumental in laying out a beautiful indigenous garden at St Paul’s College.In this way many children, despite growing up in town, will get to know Ana trees, Sweet thorn, Buffalo thorn and Wild Olive trees as well as Puzzle and Raisin bushes and some others.* Mr and Mrs Steenkamp of Bougain Villas are honoured for preserving and carefully enclosing the lovely big Maerua tree next to the Hebenstreit Street entrance to the premises of this complex.Maerua trees are confined to Namibia, they are evergreen, flower profusely and provide lovely shade.Some trees grow to have a crown diameter of 14 metres.
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