Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden awarded level 2 accreditation by ArbNet Accreditation Program
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort has been awarded a Level 2 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Programme is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is also now recognised as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is a statutory authority on biodiversity conservation in South Africa. It has a national reach through its 11 National Botanical Gardens located around the country including the National Zoological Garden. The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is one of two National Botanical Gardens located in Gauteng.
Established in 1982 and it has a natural 70m Witpoortie Waterfall, its signature, which is touted as the source of the Crocodile Rivers. It boasts a repertoire of plants that have been collected around the country over the years. Its conservation efforts extent to the West Rand area where the Brachycorythis conica subsp. transvaalensis, commonly known as the Albertina Sisulu Orchid as the only known viable population in the wild.
Pic: Nondumiso Magija with the Level 2 Accreditation
The National Botanical Garden also has a dedicated Biodiversity Education and Public Engagement directorate which conduct workshops for both teachers and learners on curriculum based natural science subjects.
“SANBI is grateful for the recognition of one of its remarkable botanical gardens that continues to play a significant role in the society, offering not only a nature sanctuary but also splendid site for social relaxation. Perhaps this recognition is long overdue and SANBI is thankful towards ArbNet for giving the garden this recognition based on Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden role in tree conservation”