Earth Rangers learn how to nurse and grow trees using recycled plastic bottles

Earth Rangers learn about trees and how to grow trees at RETAFO

On Friday 03rd August 2018, the Earth Rangers of the Steemit Action Summer Holiday Program visited RETAFO (Reforestation Task Force) to learn about the diffferent types of trees of the Bamenda Highlands Forests and how to nurse and grow trees as well as commence using the tree nursery pots they made from the plastic bottles they collected from the banks of River Mezam.

Arriving at RETAFO at 10:00AM, the team was warmly welcomed by the Executive Director of RETAFO. This was followed by self introductions and then lessons about the different trees that RETAFO are nursing at their tree nursery.

Some of the trees the Earth Rangers learned about include;

1. The Prunus africana which is also known as the African cherry or "canda stick" in Cameroon. Its a very medicinal tree that has a very high economic value in Cameroon.

2. Grevillea robusta: Grevillea is an exotic tree specie which is fast growing and can be used for agroforestry and timber. 

3. Jack Fruit, Pears and Guava: The Earth Rangers also had the opportunity to learn about the medicinal, nutritional, food, economic and environmental values of the Jack fruit, Pears and Guava trees. 

However, the tree of the day was the Prunus africana and the RETAFO team took out time to share Prunus african seeds to the Earth Rangers, thought them how to sow the prunus africana seeds, how to nurse, pot and grow the prunus africana. The Earth Rangers had the opportunity to use their plant pots they produced to nurse Prunus africana trees and were really excited with the knowledge and activities they carried out at RETAFO.

Seeds of Prunus africana

Collecting Prunus africana seedling for nursing

Ivan, an Earth Ranger nursing Prunus africana

Some health benefits of Prunus africana

Prunus has been used to improve symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy and to improve sexual function. 

The multiple uses of Prunus africana for traditional medicine is not surprising since scientific studies have shown that it has various bioactive substances with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects. Because of it’s over exploitation for health benefits with less effort geared towards conservation, P. africana has been classified as a vulnerable species facing a high risk of extinction. This explains why Earth Rangers want to nurse and grow Prunus africana.

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