Cape Town: The Recreation and Parks Department commemorated the Earth Day 2025 at Wynberg Park. The City of Cape Town has brought together the young environmental champions, city departments and community stakeholders in a shared mission to honour the 2025 global Earth Day theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’.
City of Cape Town is committed to sustainability, as 20 indigenous trees were planted in the park that is contributing to long-term urban greening efforts and climate resilience. The selected species are already present in the park and have demonstrated a high survival rate.
Furthermore, they are not reproductive hosts for the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), which supports their continued survival. Also, learners from the Springfield Convent Senior School, Plumstead High School and Rosmead Central Primary School participated in interactive sessions and educational displays designed to empower the next generation of environmental stewards.
They conducted energy and carbon emissions audits of their respective schools. After that, they recommended quick and cost-effective steps that each school could take to reduce their energy use and carbon emissions. Each school presented their results using posters.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that the youth are key partners in securing a more sustainable future and events like these are vital to inspire action. By planting trees and sparking conversations around clean energy and climate change, as they are turning awareness into action, right here in the communities.
Considering this, Rory Rochat from the Friends of Wynberg Park commented that Earth Day celebrations observed recently, were a reminder of the role their community plays in shaping a sustainable future. It was inspiring to see so many young people engage in tree planting and learn about the importance of protecting the environment. He and his team is proud to partner with the City of Cape Town in making Wynberg Park a hub for environmental education and action.
Ward 62 Councillor – Emile Langenhoven also released a statement and said that the Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a call to action for everyone to care for the spaces they share.
He added that seeing young people taking the lead in planting trees and evaluating their own carbon footprint gives him hope that the efforts made today will bear fruit in the coming years. According to him, Wynberg Park is a special part of the ward, and it is one of the two of ‘Great Parks’ in Ward 62. It is heartening to see it come alive with learning, collaboration and a shared vision for a greener, healthier future.
Moreover, Springfield Convent School highlighted the two of their ongoing environmental restoration projects. With permissions from the city officials, learners collected Silver Tree seeds from Wynberg Park and propagate them on school grounds. The initiative aims to reintroduce Silver Trees to the campus, where they once grew naturally before being lost due to development.
The school showcased their conservation work focused on protecting the endangered Western Leopard Toad. Their efforts aim to safeguard the remaining population by controlling the spread of invasive Guttural Toads, thereby helping to preserve the delicate ecological balance and to support local biodiversity.
The day then brought to life through multi-departmental collaboration. The Energy Department hosted an information display on renewable power, while the Environmental Management facilitated a hands-on environmental education programme for learners.
As the lead organiser, Recreation and Parks Department aligned its activities with its core areas that need more focus, such as tree planting, carbon reduction and greening public spaces. These initiatives directly support Earth Day’s call for climate action and highlight the role of the city in building a sustainable, equitable and prosperous future.
Notably, the event was majorly focused on environmental action, and also inspired hope for a sustainable future, especially among the youth who participated in tree planting and educational activities.
Cape Town continues to invest in a greener tomorrow, Earth Day serves as an important reminder that the planet’s power lies in the collective responsibility and the city is proud to be leading the charge.