Students and staff of the Department of Forest Science of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) have undertaken a series of activities to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day and the Tree for Lifeinitiative, formerly known as Green Ghana.
With support from the Global Greengrant Fund, students and staff of the department collaborated with the Ahafo Young Women’s Movement to carry out tree planting exercises, awareness creation on radio and interaction sessions with a cross-section of senior high school students.
The Department of Forest Science began the occasion with a follow-up visit to Kyem Amponsah Senior High School (SHS) at Fiapre near Sunyani, where trees that were planted during the previous year’s Green Ghana programme were assessed.
It was to assess the survival and growth of the planted trees and to educate the students on the significance of tree planting and environmental stewardship in combating climate change.
In addition, the Head of Department (HoD), Prof. Daniel Akoto Sarfo, along with some executives of the Forestry Students Association (FORSA), sensitized the public through UENR’s campus radio, Greener FM, on the vital role of tree planting in environmental sustainability and encouraged listeners to be an advocate for the environment, among others.
The Department also represented the university during the Bono regional launch of the Tree for Life (T4L) programme, which took place at Saint James SHS during which some trees were planted around the campus, together with other stakeholders present at the commemoration.
On Monday June 9, a team led by Mrs. Opuni Frimpong, together with the HoD, visited the Seventh Day Adventist SHS in Sunyani for an educational outreach where the focus was on urban tree planting to ensure sustainable cities and climate change mitigation under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 13.
Prof. Akoto Sarfo formally introduced the Department and outlined the purpose of the visit after which Mrs. Opuni Frimpong then delivered an insightful presentation on the importance of trees in cities and communities and their role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem to support life in all its forms on Earth.
The key highlights of the presentation include: the concept of urban forest, the importance and benefits of urban forest, management of urban trees and the role of the youth and public in protecting and managing urban forestry.
Mrs. Opuni Frimpong explained how trees serve humanity in numerous ways, such as providing oxygen, sequestering carbon and other harmful gases and particulates from the atmosphere and the environment, providing materials including timber and non-timber forest products, medicines, mushrooms and many others.
She also touched on the concept of global warming and the role of trees in mitigating the effects of climate change on the environment.
Later, tree planting exercises were carried out on the SDA SHS campus, with active participation from both SHS students and students from the Department of Forest Science (UENR).
Subsequently, the team visited Sunyani Senior High School (SUSEC), where similar educational sessions were held, followed by another tree planting exercise involving students from both institutions.
To conclude the week’s activities, several trees were also planted on the UENR campus to reaffirm the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Credit: rbnewshub.com
