Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is championing the promotion of greener and healthier environments through a meticulously coordinated open space interaction and greening competition. JCPZ, as the custodian of open space management, development, and greening for the City, is organising this competition for the second time since its inception in 2021.
“The objective of this competition is to delve into the multifaceted roles that these institutions play in the conservation and safeguarding of public open spaces while simultaneously acknowledging their commendable environmental projects,” says Jenny Moodley, spokesperson for City Parks and Zoo.
The competition welcomed the participation of community-based organisations (CBOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other community-based environmental groups, as well as environmentally focused clubs within Johannesburg schools.
“NGOs and schools submitted their entries between the months of November and December 2022, as well as February 2023. The project subsequently underwent an adjudication process spanning from March to May 2023, which included comprehensive site inspections as integral components of the selection and adjudication process,” Moodley explains.
Moodley emphasises that the competition serves as a catalyst for fostering increased awareness regarding the pivotal role of public open spaces and other natural resources.
It also seeks to cultivate positive community engagement in the nurturing, preservation, and conservation of these invaluable spaces.
She says the grand ceremony for announcing the competition winners is scheduled to take place in June 2023, in conjunction with the vibrant festivities of international Environment Month.
Competition prizes will be bestowed in kind, providing support and amplification to the ongoing environmental endeavours undertaken by competition participants.
“Through this competition, our aspiration is to inspire and motivate the participants to persist in the development and implementation of projects that underscore the prudent utilisation, safeguarding, and preservation of public open spaces within their communities,” Moodley emphasises.
She adds that JCPZ aspires to foster a heightened awareness concerning the pivotal role of clean, salubrious, and liveable local environments, particularly among school learners, while simultaneously reinforcing positive interactions with nature through the competition.
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
12/06/2023