There is something special about planting a tree. You place a young tree into the earth, nurture it, and watch as it grows into something that can provide shade, shelter, oxygen and life for generations to come.
This Arbour Week, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s DEEP Kids Juniors and Seniors put these values into action.
South Africa’s Arbor Week takes place from 1 to 7 September, and this year’s theme, “My Tree, My Oxygen – Plant Yours Today”, highlights the importance of planting indigenous trees, building resilient urban forests and recognising trees as vital sources of oxygen for our communities.
On 2 September, the DEEP Kids Juniors joined us at African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) for a special tree-planting activity. Together, they planted indigenous olive wood trees, helping to bring more greenery to our sanctuary while learning about the importance of caring for our natural environment.
The young environmental champions proudly took part in the planting while wearing their DEEP Kids jackets for the first time, kindly sponsored by The Southern African Conservation Trust (SACT), making the occasion even more memorable.
For us, tree planting is about more than simply putting a tree into the ground. It is about giving young people the opportunity to connect with nature, understand their role in protecting the environment and see how small actions can contribute to a healthier future.
And then came a beautiful reminder from nature itself.
On 3 September, the newly planted trees received their very first rain.
After being planted just the day before, the rain was a welcome gift, giving the young trees the water they needed as they began putting down their roots. It was a fitting moment during Arbour Week, a reminder that when we plant, nurture and care for nature, nature gives back.
The tree-planting journey continued beyond APSS on 3 September, when our DEEP Kids Seniors visited Oak Grove Care Centre in Blompark to take part in a special tree-planting activity.
The planting brought together two generations of our community and gave our DEEP Kids Seniors the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a space that is home to older members of our community.
Together, they planted indigenous trees that will grow and become part of the community for years to come. While the trees are still young, they represent a lasting investment in a greener and healthier environment, providing shade, supporting biodiversity and contributing to a more resilient community space.
The activity was a fitting way to continue our Arbour Week celebrations, showing that conservation is something we can all take part in, regardless of age.
The 2026 Arbor Week theme, “My Tree, My Oxygen – Plant Yours Today”, is a simple but powerful call to action.
Trees are vital parts of healthy ecosystems and communities. Indigenous trees are particularly important because they are adapted to local conditions and can support local biodiversity. Planting trees in our communities can help create greener spaces, strengthen urban forests and contribute to healthier, more resilient environments.
Through the Dyer Island Conservation Trust’s DEEP Kids programme, conservation education extends beyond the classroom and gives young people opportunities to connect with nature and take meaningful action within their communities.
The Wild Olive Trees planted are still small, but their meaning is much bigger.
They represent growth.
They represent responsibility.
They represent a commitment to the future of our community and our environment.
And, perhaps most importantly, they represent what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to get their hands dirty, connect with nature and become part of something bigger than themselves.
From the DEEP Kids Juniors planting at APSS to the Seniors planting at Oak Grove Care Centre, this Arbour Week was a celebration of community, connection and conservation.
The trees have been planted. The rain has arrived. Now we watch, nurture and wait for them to grow.
Because every tree starts somewhere.
And every young conservationist has the potential to help grow a greener future.
“My Tree, My Oxygen – Plant Yours Today.”
