A project aimed at greening the Camdeboo National Park campsite came to fruition recently after a cash injection of more than R20 000 in the form of donations by members of the public. The project was promoted on the SANParks website over the past year and received a number of generous donations towards improving the environment for future Park visitors.
The Nqweba Campsite and Lakeview Tented Camp in the Park surrounding Graaff-Reinet were established in an Acacia (sweet thorn) woodland on the fringe of the Nqweba Dam. These trees, however, lose their leaves in winter, leaving these facilities bleak and without shade. The purpose of the project was thus to plant suitable indigenous trees to enhance the climate of the visitor accommodation facilities.
The species chosen to fill this need was Rhus lancea, more commonly known as Karee, which is indigenous to the Camdeboo National Park. It is an attractive evergreen tree which grows quickly to a height of about eight metres or more and has an affinity for the habitat found along the fringe of dams or rivers.
The dense canopy of this tree will provide ideal shade for campers. A total of 93 considerably-sized trees have been planted to-date. Park Manager, Peter Burdett, has thanked all of the donors who contributed to the project and assured them that the funds have been put to meaningful use.
