Indigenous trees and plants will soon be planted at a local hospital as part of a greening project. This is according to Christine Groenewald, Stellenbosch University (SU) environmental sustainability officer: engagement.
“The project, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, Greenpop, and the Western Cape Government, aims to explore the intersection of environmental health and public health by enhancing the hospital grounds and improving sustainability,” said Imraan Samuels, Greenpop urban greening manager and workshop facilitator.
The Stellenbosch Living Landscapes project will be planting indigenous greenery at Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital on 15 and 16 August, according to Groenewald.
Stellenbosch residents and student volunteers will be planting trees and plants at the Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital in the upcoming Stellenbosch Living Landscapes project on 15 and 16 August, said Christine Groenewald, Stellenbosch University environmental sustainability officer: engagement. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
The initiative comes after a successful three-year project at Helderberg Hospital, where the team introduced fynbos into the hospital parking area, said Groenewald.
Staff members at SU’s faculty of medicine and health sciences saw the project in Helderberg and asked if something similar could be done in Stellenbosch, according to Groenewald.
“This project’s objectives are to enhance the hospital environment, the hospital’s sustainability, and to improve access to inspirational and educational green space for patients, staff, and visitors,” said Groenewald.
The project also hopes to encourage collaboration with Greenpop and to run “inspiring greening activation days” for hospital staff and patients, SU students, and the wider community, according to Samuels.
The Western Cape department of health and wellness has made significant investments in the infrastructure of the hospital to assist service delivery, and the department looks forward to the new garden space through this collaboration, according to Sandra Maritz, communications officer: Cape Winelands district and Worcester Hospital.
The Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital will soon have an inspirational and educational garden with indigenous trees and plants, according to Christine Groenewald, Stellenbosch University environmental sustainability officer: engagement.“This is particularly important for longer-term patients, especially mental health patients, the healthcare workers, and our undergraduate and postgraduate students who train at the hospital,” she said. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
The plants that will be planted were strategically chosen, mainly because of the climate in the area, said Groenewald.
“The plants are indigenous to the area. [They] can tolerate wet winter conditions and yet survive hot summers,” said Groenewald. “Robust plants that can survive high traffic areas, but [that are also] aromatic and texturally interesting plants were chosen for the waiting areas.”
Greenpop will only reveal what species they will be planting on the day, according to Groenewald.
The project, which began in July, is expected to run for the next two years at various locations and is a part of a larger programme connected to Greenpop, which was established in 2010, said Samuels.
“Greenpop has been dedicated to increasing urban green space, food accessibility, and nature appreciation in cities across Sub-Saharan Africa, through indigenous gardening, food gardening, and environmental education,” said Samuels. “These efforts have been instrumental in enhancing urban biodiversity, improving air quality, and providing communities with essential green areas for recreation and relaxation.”
Indigenous plants will be planted on the Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital’s grounds by volunteers, according to Christine Groenewald, Stellenbosch University environmental sustainability officer: engagement. Currently, around 20 people have volunteered for both of the days, according to Groenewald. The purpose of the two planting days is to gain more interest for the rest of the project, she said. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony