A new scheme by Ambjent Malta (AM) will encourage Year 4, 5 and 6 students in state, private and church schools to collectively sow a tree on the 21st of March to celebrate the beginning of spring.
This was announced by Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning Aaron Farrugia and Minister for Education and Sport Clifton Grima.
Each student will be provided with a packet of seeds (including seeds for the Chaste Tree, Cypress Tree, Aleppo Pine, the Judas Tree and the Sandarac Gum Tree) and will be encouraged to sow and water their own tree. They will also be provided with educational material which will help them to learn about the importance of trees.
Minister Farrugia explained that these indigenous trees help our local wildlife live and thrive as they provide animals like birds and butterflies food and shelter, whilst supporting local ecosystems. These trees are particularly suited to our climate and soil types and, once planted, require much less water and fertiliser than non-native species.
Minister Farrugia praised the fact that in 2021 Ambjent Malta broke yet another record for recent years by planting a total of 24,752 trees and shrubs. This is an increase on years 2018, 2019 and 2020, when 10,185, 20,286 and 21,808 were planted respectively. “We have continued to implement green and innovative projects all over Malta; from protecting our natural environment to greening our urban spaces through garden projects and green walls, coupled with greening incentives and further tree-planting initiatives. Our focus needs to remain on our main challenges, such as improving quality of life and tackling climate change, always keeping in mind the wellbeing of current and future generations, and the legacy we will leave behind,” Minister Farrugia said.
Minister for Education and Sport Clifton Grima said that through education we are ensuring that our students are given more opportunities to broaden their knowledge beyond the traditional aspect of education, by providing them with the necessary tools through which to raise awareness in various subjects, including the environment.
“Malta is at the forefront of promoting a broad and holistic view of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), an integral part of which is the Ekoskola program. I am glad that there is a wide participation by our schools and children in this program, so that we continue to raise awareness about the environment and the importance of a sustainable environment.”
Minister Grima also said that the environment is being given its due attention in all newly built schools and in schools that are being refurbished, whilst praising this initiative which will help to continue to instil the interest of our children in the environment.
Photo: DOI
