MEP Alex Agius Saliba has launched the ‘Adopt a Tree’ Campaign in collaboration with Callus Garden Centre.
This initiative will be implemented across a two-year span. The aim of this campaign is to increase the awareness and the need of more trees and plants across the country, for a healthier environment. This initiative will be done with the help of the general public who will have the opportunity to participate in adopting 3000 indigenous Maltese trees. In two years time, these same trees will be collected and planted in a public site where everyone can enjoy them.
The MEP Alex Agius Saliba stated how this initiative is not only intended to increase the greenery in the country but will help tackle the climate crisis, which is at the top of all political agendas.
He said that the climate is becoming more volatile and changing more frequently, and the need for more trees has become more urgent to regenerate the air by absorbing the polluted air and purifying it. We will also be contributing to having more birds and other polluters being attracted to our country and becoming more sustainable.
The Managing Director of Callus Garden Centre, Jonathan Callus explained how these trees are species indigenous to Malta and fall under the guidelines of which trees and plants can be planted in the Maltese countryside. These include the Olive, Pine, Cypress, Carob, Arbutus, and the Oak trees.
Also present was the FKNK Chief Executive Lino Farrugia as the Mizieb and Ahrax sites will be the areas where these trees which will be adopted by the public are planted in two years’ time. These trees will replace those which were vandalized, consumed by fires, or died due to the heat and dryness in the past months.
Dr Agius Saliba concluded by informing those interested in participating can do so by filling in their details in the following link: https://forms.gle/QQ7RMMkg4VmriarY8. The MEP stated that in the coming days those who apply will be contacted with the date and time with the site chosen as the ‘pick-up point’. Those who apply can chose to pick up their tree from Haz-Zebbug, Zurrieq, Rahal Gdid, Mellieha and Rabat, Gozo.
