The Buskett Educational Centre, a hub of environmental awareness for families, school children and other visitors to the Buskett Woodlands, was opened by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli on Tuesday morning.
Through this €240,000 investment, Ambjent Malta transformed the disused agrarian rooms at the principal entrance to the woodlands into a new building to host seed-planting experiences and other environment education activities.
While meeting children from the St Nicholas College summer school Rabat, who were visiting the Buskett Woodlands on Tuesday, Minister Miriam Dalli noted the creation of this centre in one of Malta’s most beautiful Natura 2000 sites continues to emphasise the importance of environmental education as a catalyst for a more sustainable future.
“Thousands of families and school children visit Buskett to be closer to nature, to take in the greenery and fresh air. Ambjent Malta’s educational centre at this location will remind these visitors that we all have a crucial role to play in our shared effort to protect the environment. It will be a source of knowledge about these woodlands’ biodiversity, while raising awareness on sustainable practices that we can adopt in our daily lives to aspire for a greener tomorrow,” the Minister said.
Minister Dalli thanked the Ambjent Malta team who planned and completed this new educational centre and encouraged them to continue investing in environmental awareness with more innovative activities at Buskett and other green open spaces, in coming years.
The Buskett Educational Centre was designed to blend in the historical, verdant surroundings of the woodlands, using Maltese stone and traditional architectural features. It includes a multi-functional hall, an office for the team that will be running the centre’s activities, and sanitary facilities. It was also equipped with security cameras, wi-fi internet and air conditioning, for the comfort and security of visitors.
Ambjent Malta Environmental Projects Director Josianne Muscat explained that through this centre, Ambjent Malta aims to bring together various stakeholders, including, schools, communities, and businesses, to help create a shared responsibility towards the environment. The centre’s focus will be on environmental education and seed planting activities, especially for children.
“As school children engage in such activities, they develop a deep connection with nature, understanding the importance of preserving the Earth’s resources and protecting its fragile ecosystems. As they grow into adulthood, they will carry forward their environmental values and practices, influencing their communities, workplaces, and policy decisions,” Muscat said.
The Buskett Educational Centre is open to the public every day, from 8:30am to 1pm between June and September, and from 8:30am to 3pm between October and May.
