Taking care of Cumberland Bird Sanctuary

With September being Arbour Month, Bryanston Cumberland Bird Sanctuary will get a new look with 150 indigenous trees to be planted in the park.

Bryanston residents and City Parks officials made their way to the park on 6 September to begin planting as Arbour Week is celebrated in the first week of September annually.

The park boasts incredible bird life with 82 different species. The park is often locked but open to the general public on the first Sunday of each month where residents can have a picnic or take a walk around.

Phillip Mkhombo of City Parks revealed that they have received monetary donations from firewood.co.za which is a firewood sourcing company which distributes firewood sourced from alien invasive trees and other sustainable resources.

“We will be planting indigenous trees throughout September at the park, and we’re also waiting for the appointed contractor to remove some of the blue gum trees.”

Five different species of indigenous trees will be planted in the sanctuary – searsia pendulina, kiggelaria africana, heteropysis natalensis, searsia lancea and harpephyllum caffrum. Mkhombo added that the public is welcome to come and help plant the trees.

Bryanston resident Amanda Filocha outlined the importance of keeping the bird sanctuary clean. “This is a protected area, not a normal park where you can take your dog for a walk but a bird sanctuary. It is important to have an area that is natural as possible.

“The whole objective of this park is not to look like a manicured park, but we want to create a green belt in the suburb.”

Related articles:

https://staging.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/233261/afforestation-project-ethiopia-recently-resulted-350-million-trees-planted-one-day/

https://staging.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/235809/joburg-scoops-prestigious-national-arbor-city-award/