JACARANDA ACT: Action for City Trees
Jacaranda ACT works to keep the jacaranda trees that give South Africa's administrative capital its identity, and to make sure that when a historic street tree dies it can lawfully be replaced. These trees have been fought for before, and we build on that record.
Our goal
JACARANDA ACT's immediate goal is to develop a credible City Tree Planting, Replacement and Management Policy for Pretoria.
The policy will provide a practical framework for identifying important existing trees, replacing ageing or lost trees, selecting suitable species, coordinating planting with municipal infrastructure, and setting clear responsibilities for long term care and maintenance.
Once developed, it will be presented to the City of Tshwane with the aim of securing formal adoption, municipal cooperation and an ongoing budget for the responsible renewal of Pretoria's tree lined streets and distinctive urban landscape.
Help us build it
We are looking for people and organisations who can assist in one or more of the following ways:
Contribute expertise. Arborists, horticulturists, landscape architects, architects, planners, environmental specialists, researchers, legal practitioners and people with municipal policy experience.
Support the work financially. Individuals, businesses, trusts and professional organisations can help fund research, specialist advice, policy preparation, public engagement and future pilot projects.
Open doors and build support. People with relevant relationships in government, civic organisations, business, academia or the media can help establish the partnerships and institutional support needed to move the policy forward.
Provide information. Residents can share photographs, records and local knowledge about important trees, historic avenues, lost trees and areas that need planned replanting.
Get involved
JACARANDA ACT is focused on meaningful, practical contributions. Those wishing to assist are invited to submit a short expression of interest explaining their experience, proposed contribution and availability.
You can:
apply to contribute;
support the policy initiative; or
become a funding or institutional partner.