Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, the greening champion in the City of Joburg, is gearing up in celebration of International Day of Biodiversity, which is observed annually on 22 May. This global event and significant environmental calendar date aims to draw attention to the urgency of preserving our biodiversity.

The adverse effect of climate change is evident as the world experiences flooding, drought, fires and the destruction of an already dwindling environment. This year’s theme, “Be Part of the Plan”, affords everyone a chance to change mindsets, alter activities in our daily lives and be cognisant of how we treat living organisms around us.

Joburg Zoo, through its educational efforts in driving the environmental narrative, will be hosting approximately 350 pupils and teachers from schools around the city. The event, scheduled for 29 May 2024 from 9am to 1pm at the zoo’s bandstand, aims to engage learners with talks, demonstrations and exhibitions of plant and animal species.

As an active member of the Reverse the Red, an International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) initiative, Joburg Zoo through collaborative efforts with likeminded organisations, will use skills, tools and education, in changing young minds to care for the environment.

It’s not too late to be part of the plan, here are a few things you can do:

• Supporting local conservation initiatives: Get involved in local conservation organizations and initiatives that aim to protect and restore biodiversity in your area.  Activities could include volunteering, community clean-ups, planting indigenous trees and through fundraising efforts.

• Create wildlife-friendly gardens: Transform your own backyard into a haven for wildlife by planting native species, providing food and water sources, and creating sheltered areas. This encourages biodiversity to thrive and creates a safe and reliable space.

• Practice sustainable living: Adopt sustainable practices in your daily life, such as reducing waste, conserving water and energy, and minimizing the use of harmful chemicals.

JCPZ encourages all residents to be part of the plan in preserving our nature reserves, water bodies, and using parks responsibly by not littering, dumping and illegally chopping and destroying trees in our city.

Together, we can bring back nature to its former splendour.

Joburg Pulse Radio: https://s3.radio.co/s349cd1429/listen