The 2010 tree of the year is the well-known Acacia xanthophloea. This spectacular tree with it’s straight, luminous yellow trunk and its feathery, spreading canopy is rightfully one of our most popular indigenous trees. The common name, Fever tree, comes from the early settlers who thought the trees were responsible for the fever they contracted when they were in the vicinity of these trees. In fact, it was malaria that they contracted from the mosquitoes that lived in the swampy areas where the trees are commonly found.. Many bird species and especially weavers, use the Acacia xanthophloea for building their nests as the thorns offer shade underneath the canopy is perfect for smaller plants that require some protection from harsh sunlight. Whether this magnificent tree is used as a focal point in the landscape or planted in a group or as an avenue, the effect is always absolutely breath-taking.
As night falls over the Makgadigadi Pans, large trees stand starkly against the horizon, leafless branches reach for the light. As the sun sinks lower, the sky drains of all colour until just red remains. On the opposite side of the sky, Earth’s shadow is rising, bringing a curtain of indigo and the promise of a clear night. Science and art merge as a myriad of stars burn fiercely overhead, dissolving into infinitude, and our thoughts follow. – Beth Moon Did you know that trees grow faster when high levels of cosmic radiation reach the earth’s surface, and impacts tree growth even more than annual temperature or rainfall?
Elize Fourie is the project leader of the Rose-ringed Parakeet Project at the University of the Witwatersrand. These birds are listed as a Category 2 Invasive Species in South Africa and the aim of the project is to further investigate the occurrence, distribution, ecology and behaviour of these birds in Gauteng. She has been receiving data on sightings and roosting/breeding locations of these birds from the citizens of Gauteng. Hereby, she has found that these birds may tend to feed, roost or nest in residential estates. Therefore, she is contacting us to find out whether we have sighted these birds at in our estate and also whether these birds feed, nest or roost in Glen Austin. If you have any information on these birds or know of any breeding/roosting sites in your estate or anywhere else, please contact Elize on [email protected]. You can also submit any data to the project by following this link: http://goo.gl/forms/OvbdSanz4B. Kind regards, Elize Fourie The Rose-ringed Parakeet Project DST-NRF Intern University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg You may have seen notices on street lamp posts and poles within the Estate and on Dale and Alan Roads. Please be informed this is your opportunity to comment on the proposed Zonkízizwe development which was first to take place around the Gautrain side of the Old Mutual property, but has all of a sudden been changed to the land at the back of Donovan Road. This area is a wetland and attempts have been made before to use this land for the Pan African Parliament Centre, which also they tried to build off the highway to Pretoria by the African Development Bank, but they hit water. The Pan African Parliament is now run from Gallagher Estates. On this particular section of land there are two underground fountains which provide Glen Austin with borehole water. The document is at present at the Midrand Library, but GARA has asked for a hard copy to be delivered to them. Please fill out the form below to register your comments regarding this proposed development. Should you want to read further documentation, please see the EIA's & Rezoning Applications in the Document Library.
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