In a proud display of environmental action, Weston Agricultural College in Mooi River, 60km northeast of Pietermaritzburg, emerged victorious in the first-ever Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge.
The KwaZulu-Natal-based event, hosted in partnership with Ferncliffe Forest Wilding, saw Weston face off against Durban High School (DHS) in an exciting race to plant trees and restore the local forest ecosystem.
Timothy Isabirye, marketing manager for Husqvarna South Africa, expressed his admiration for both schools.
“We were truly moved by the enthusiasm of DHS and Weston, who made time to participate despite their busy end-of-term schedules,” said Isabirye. “Their commitment to making a difference in their community is inspiring.”
Working together to restore environment
The challenge, held in Pietermaritzburg’s Ferncliffe Forest, was more than just a competition. It represented a tangible step towards environmental stewardship, with students from both schools digging and planting trees to restore the endangered mist belt forest.
Ferncliffe Forest Wilding’s representative, Janine Stephen, said, “Partnering with schools and businesses like Husqvarna to protect and restore biodiversity is the kind of community-driven action we need in the face of climate change and habitat loss.”
Armed with spades, gloves, and determination, the boys from each school raced to plant 15 trees as quickly as possible.
Weston Agricultural College’s impressive teamwork and speed earned them the win, along with a Husqvarna battery-operated leaf blower valued at R10 000 and a trophy to take home. DHS, though not first across the finish line, was awarded a R5 000 voucher for Husqvarna’s online store, and all participants received certificates recognising their efforts.
Celebrating achievement
“This challenge was a brilliant opportunity for our learners to engage with their environment in a meaningful way,” said Barry Coskey, head of marketing at DHS. “Our boys demonstrated the values we hold dear – discipline, courage, and a sense of duty to protect our planet. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Weston’s head of marketing, Amber Pollock, echoed the sentiment. “At Weston, we believe in cultivating a strong work ethic and responsibility towards our environment. Our students didn’t just win a challenge today—they helped make a real difference in the world around them.”
The Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge has set the stage for what many hope will become an annual tradition, to expand participation and environmental impact.
“This is only the beginning,” said Isabirye. “We’re committed to growing this initiative into something that continues to inspire change – one tree at a time.”
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