Black Livelihoods Matter Too
George Floyd’s murder In broad daylight Captured on video Has changed my perspective I have revisited my own racism Reconnected with the racism of my ancestors As I watched Rhodes falling In the popular British imagination Along with other British imperialists As some statues were taken down; A world aware of the evil of apartheid […]
Sustainability: Five Firewood Trees
A blustery cold front made using the lovely wood burning fireplace in my lounge desirable.The batch of hardwood I bought in 2017 has proved enough for three years. Yet given that trees for firewood are being overharvested by individuals as well as businesses, what five trees would make the firewood industry sustainable? For a little […]
Post Lockdown: The SMART Economy
I always look forward to hearing President Cyril Ramaphosa address our nation during lockdown. Despite his exhaustion he continues to inspire confidence by his concern for our lives. Saving lives has become his priority and I imagine he must agonize about the economy. He is an ambitious man. As president he certainly wants to leave […]
International Day of Forests 2020
The theme for this year’s International Day of Forests is Forests and Biodiversity. Consider using the weekend of March 21st as days for educating yourself and your loved ones about forests. And for planting trees. Spekboom and Biodiversity Spekboom is the tree of the moment. This is where the money is headed…And the enthusiasm. It is a […]
COP25: Just Transitions
I came away from the National Climate Change Stakeholders Dialogue, held in preparation for the Santiago Climate Change Conference with the following questions: How many Green Economies are there? What is the relationship between the Green Economies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution? What role can Permaculture play in a just transition from a carbon dependent […]
Food Forests: Jackfruit seedlings
The first rains have arrived and I am delighted. I am pleased too that the small urban food forest I am creating is proceeding at a steady pace. My jackfruit seedlings are ready for planting out. Yet not here. After the concrete was removed a water pipe lying just below its surface was placed deeper into the […]
BEYOND PSHB: Trees to plant
The best trees to plant are those that you know you will take care of. I have a friend who loves River Bushwillows and can’t stand the Karee. Needless to say, the bushwillows thrive under his care; the karees do not. I love both, the former for its majesty and the latter for its tree […]
BEYOND PSHB: Each one adopt one
Branching out on my walks around my suburb of Orange Grove I came to Orange Grove Park. Here I found heritage trees (trees older than sixty years): conifers, pin oaks, jacaranda and what a friend has told me might be a carob tree. Amongst the younger trees are palm trees and white stinkwood. It seems […]
PSHB: FUNGICIDE REGISTERED
PSHB Fungicide has been registered. What a relief! This changes the dynamics at play quite dramatically for many of the responses to PSHB Infestation have been based on the absence of a registered PSHB Fungicide. Now that it has been registered, how does this shift where I put my energy? From the beginning my focus […]
PSHB UPDATE: Best Practice Challenge
Under the guidance of JUFA, Johannesburg has been proactive in raising awareness about the reality of the PSHB beetle infesting some of our trees. Its work has inspired some individuals to share what they have learnt and what interventions they have used to deal with infested trees. I have not been one of them for […]