FOTE comes of age on environmental issues: By Angeline Zimbwani Mikiri

Angie Mikiri presenting a certificate to Superintendent Jamela after finishing the 23 km and planting of tree...... I got an invitation from Nyaradzo Group to come and be the Guest of Honor at the Friends of the Environment tree planting program which took place last Friday at Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo Province. The program started with a 23km walking procession from Masvingo City to Mutimurefu. Various stakeholders participated in the walkathon. The procession began as early as 6 in the morning heading for Mutimurefu Prison. The program took off with a theme ‘building communities.’ In my key note address I highlighted the key factors of growing trees, ‘Trees and forests are critical in reducing the effects of climate change. One of the most critical actions we can take to improve the well-being of the environment is to plant trees. Forests act as our planet's lungs, taking in carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen. Trees also enrich our lives on a large scale as well as at a local level. Tree planting can help save energy required for heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, both of which are very vital aspects of our living. In cities, trees filter the air by removing dangerous particles. They also aid in the filtering and purification of water, as well as the prevention of flooding and the protection of watersheds.’ Friends of the environment (FOTE) is a nonprofit organization of environmentally likeminded individuals and corporate entities championing the re-greening of Zimbabwe through planting trees. Present at the event were officials from Nyaradzo Group, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe National Army School of Sports, The Lyons Club and the business community The FOTE initiative was pioneered by Nyaradzo Group in July 2010. It is governed by Board of trustees and also works with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate together with its affiliate organizations like Forestry Commission and Environment Management Agency