Schools Urged to Adopt a Park and Champion Environmental Rights
On the eve of Human Rights Day, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is calling on schools across Johannesburg to plant a tree, adopt a local park, and become active stewards of the city’s green spaces.
Access to a healthy and safe environment is a fundamental human right. However, with that right comes a shared responsibility to ensure that our parks remain clean, welcoming, and vibrant spaces for communities. By adopting a park, schools can play a meaningful role in protecting these public assets while nurturing a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
Through this initiative, schools are encouraged to incorporate park adoption into their environmental education curriculum. Learners can participate in activities such as removing invasive plants, planting indigenous vegetation, cleaning up litter, and helping beautify neighbourhood parks.
These hands-on experiences not only support the greening of the city but also allow young people to connect meaningfully with nature.
Working with soil and plants can also be highly therapeutic for young people.
The Managing Director of JCPZ, Mr. Thanduxolo Mendrew, stated, “If we want parks that are clean, safe, and vibrant, we must begin by inspiring the generation that will inherit them. When young people are given the opportunity to care for their local green spaces, they become their guardians. Securing the buy-in of our youth will be the game-changer our city needs — because a generation that grows up planting trees, restoring parks and protecting nature will also grow into citizens who value, defend and sustain Johannesburg’s green future.”
Today’s teenagers face a wide range of pressures that were not experienced by previous generations — from constant connectivity through the internet and social media to the demands of digital gaming and screen time. Spending time outdoors, getting their hands dirty, and contributing to their community’s well-being offers a healthy balance and an opportunity to step away from their phones and focus on a positive, rewarding activity.
The legacy of these partnerships can endure for years, fostering environmental consciousness, civic pride, and a shared sense of responsibility for the environment. When learners take ownership of their local parks, they help build safer, greener, and more caring neighbourhoods.
Schools interested in partnering with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to adopt a park are invited to email jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com.
Together, we can give back to the environment, inspire the next generation, and grow a powerful green revolution in the city of Johannesburg.
Article from Joburg City Parks and Zoo
