Press Release
April 22, 2022
This year marks the 52nd Earth Day. Each Earth Day, people around the world mobilize to raise awareness on important environmental issues, including climate change. Together with our international partners, including Botswana, we can take bold action to preserve our planet and to fight the climate crisis.
On Earth Day 2022, the U.S. Embassy partnered with the Gaborone City Council and the Government Ward Development Committee to launch the Mabogo Dinku Community Garden. This project was officially launched at the Extension 11 Park in Gaborone to encourage community mobilization, volunteerism, experiential learning, entrepreneurship, and environmental conservation.
The community garden features plants indigenous to Botswana, a vegetable garden, an outdoor classroom, and two lending libraries for the local community to enjoy free of charge. The garden will provide a space for Batswana to gather and develop an appreciation for the outdoors, foster civic responsibility, and enable the public to better understand the benefits and opportunities of indigenous plants.
Tackling the climate crisis is at the center of U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, and national security. This includes rapidly scaling up global ambition to reduce emissions and significantly increasing investments in climate adaptation and resilience in urban and rural settings, with considerations of environmental justice and equity fully considered.
U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Craig Cloud speaks to the distinguished guests and the community at the launch for Mabogo Dinku Community Garden.
Planting of new trees at the Mabogo Dinku Community Garden
Planting of new trees at the Mabogo Dinku Community Garden
U.S. Ambassador Craig Cloud and members of the Gaborone City Council and the Government Ward Development Committee pose for photos at the launch for the Mabogo Dinku Community Garden
“We are confronting parallel climate and biodiversity crises that require vigilance and action and it is my hope that this garden will also become a community space to foster environmental conservation and climate action. From the installation of garden swails designed to maximize rainfall to water the grass and plants, to the solar lights we’ve installed on the leobo, this small space can serve as an example of Gaborone’s commitment to conservation,” U.S. Ambassador Craig Cloud remarked at the community garden launch. “The Gaborone City Council’s commitment to installing a solar pump for the borehole will be an important step. I hope this garden can also feature composting and recycling to further the sustainability of this space.”
This garden creates a space that encourages the enjoyment of outdoor spaces and serves as a physical symbol of the U.S.-Botswana partnership.
For additional information, please contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office at 373-2419 or PASGaborone@state.gov. Please visit the Community Garden’s website at https://mabogodinku.squarespace.com/
