In a bid to raise money, The Owl Rescue Centre has grown and is selling thousands of spekboom plants. The money raised will be used to rescue and rehabilitate owls under the organisaition’s care, while giving back to the planet.
Spekboom, also known as bacon/ pork bush or elephant’s food, is our own indigenous wonder plant. Besides being edible (and high in Vitamin C), the medium-sized shrub found predominantly in the Eastern Cape is resilient and an important ‘weapon’ in the fight against climate change.
This carbon sponge can sequester more than 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year per hectare planted, making it more effective than the Amazon rainforest at sucking carbon dioxide from of the atmosphere. The unassuming-looking bush with its round, succulent leaves is especially good at photosynthesis (making plant food from sunlight), which produces a byproduct we desperately need: oxygen.
In a Facebook post, the Owl Rescue Centre said: ‘South Africans on average produce just over one ton of carbon emissions per person a year, so you would need to plant 120 of these little guys to offset your carbon footprint.’
Image: Owl Rescue Centre/ Facebook
The details on how to purchase these wonder plants from the Owl Rescue Centre is as follows:
Cost: R10 each
‘We plant them in wood pots which you can just place straight into the ground as over time they will just decompose.
‘If you would like some please send us an email with your proof of payment and delivery address.
‘Add an extra R100 for delivery costs if you order less than 40 plants and you are also welcome to collect.
‘Bank account details: Owl Rescue Centre NPC Nedbank Current Account 103 081 9580 Branch Code 198 765. Reference: SB & your full name.’
Email it to [email protected]
Image: Owl Rescue Centre/ Facebook
