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The Theme for World Environment Day is Connect with Nature Please find some materials including a drama for youth: World Environment Day – Connect to nature

Mthatha Diocesan Servers (ASIA) held their 12th annual conference at St Matthews Parish, KwaLindile from the 27th -29th of April 2017. It was in this conference where Mr White addressed servers about the importance of tree planting.  He explained the importance of trees in our lives as follows. Trees purify the air we breathe (during photosynthesis) by taking in carbon dioxide given out by animals and giving out oxygen needed by people. Trees prevent soil erosion. Trees beautify the areas we live in like schools, churches, homes, parks etc. Some trees are used for medical purposes. In his address he urged servers to ensure that trees are planted in the parishes, homes and schools. On the same day four trees were planted at the hosting parish. Trees planted were blessed by clergy led by the Diocesan Servers Chaplain, Revd Canon Puza. -Bonginkosi White

On Saturday the 29th of April 2017, Green Anglican hosted a hike at Wolfgat Nature reserve.  Beginning with an opening prayer, Rev Rachel Mash mentioned the importance of embracing, loving and being part of nature.   We roughly had 50 young people from, St Pauls Phillipi, Eluvukweni, St Faith, Epping and Westridge Christ the Redeemer. Kondowe who was our hiking guard, lead through a session of nature awareness, teaching especially the youth about the importance of diversity and eco systems. He later showed all of us the number of nature reserves along False Bay which can be used hiking among other activities. The hiking trail is laid out beautifully with sand dunes winding through from Talfesig to the beach, False Bay. Just when you reach the ocean, you can almost notice the difference, between where people normally sit and where there is just animals, it is very clean and untouched. Selwyn encouraged all of us to make use of these resources, as some of them could be great for camps, conferencing and workshops, and the best part is that some of them can be used for free.   With all that being said, he also mentioned that, it becomes tricky when our nature reserves are not as safe as we would like them to be. Wolfgat is one of those, located in area commonly known for crime, the hiking trail is rather unpopular and underused. However, the hike went very well, ended with a picnic by the beach and everyone changed into their swimming gear and went on for the waves.

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FAITH BASED CONSERVANCY LAUNCHED IN DURBAN Conservation KZN has many different types of Conservancies: urban, rural, farming, schools, residential estates, protected areas, coastal and even landfills. But history was made recently with the launch of South Africa’s first faith-based Conservancy in Durban. Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Hindu and Muslim faiths agreed to work together for the good of the Durban inner city and its communities. The new Conservancy will focus on the improvement of green areas and parks, waste and fresh water management, street lighting, and cleanliness of the environment generally.Approximately 25 people of different religions and denominations gathered around a Wild Olive Tree in the Napier room of the Denis Hurley Centre on 14 February. Andrew Warmback from St Pauls Church who is the chairperson,  gave a brief background into the launch of an Inner City Faith based Conservancy. Rob Crankshaw, CEO of KZN Conservancies Association addressed the group and Councillor Joyce Johnson represented the Mayor’s office. This is the first faith-based Conservancy in South Africa. It demonstrates that Conservancies start with communities, not just with environmental activities. Various faiths gathered for a blessing around a Wild Olive tree that would be placed in the Nadal Meditative Garden of the Denis Hurley Centre — at Denis Hurley Centre.