{"id":59651,"date":"2026-09-01T17:48:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T16:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/?p=59651"},"modified":"2026-09-01T17:48:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T16:48:24","slug":"ambitious-environmental-project-launched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/ambitious-environmental-project-launched\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambitious environmental project launched"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Major \u20ac9 million investment to strengthen Natura 2000 network<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most ambitious biodiversity initiatives ever undertaken was launched to strengthen ecological resilience and sustainable visitor management across our country\u2019s Natura 2000 network. Through this sustainable approach the Project aims to educate and inform the visiting public about the importance of these sites, and how they can also help in protecting and conserving these areas for the benefit of the environment and to preserve it for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Project E-CORE (Environmental Connectivity for Optimised Resiliency and Ecosystem Management in Natura 2000 Sites) was launched by Minister for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli and Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Keith Azzopardi Tanti, together with Ambjent Malta and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a total investment of approximately \u20ac9 million, co-financed through European Union and national funds, Project E-CORE seeks to safeguarding important habitats while enhancing public access and appreciation of the islands&#8217; natural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201c<\/strong>This ambitious project highlights the importance of Malta&#8217;s natural environment and reflects our commitment to protecting biodiversity while ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from the country&#8217;s unique natural heritage. This launch is the beginning of a significant long-term investment in conservation, ecological restoration and environmental protection, reinforcing our commitment to protecting its Natura 2000 sites and strengthening resilience to future environmental challenges. Works have already started in some areas, and we will continue investing in projects that protect biodiversity while allowing people to better experience, understand and appreciate our natural heritage,\u201d stated Minister Miriam Dalli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti said that, \u201cThis is an important environmental project, which is being carried out in synergy between two different Ministries. For this project we are allocating no less than \u20ac9 million. Thanks to these projects, European funds can be invested in initiatives that will benefit and be enjoyed by the Maltese and Gozitans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through a series of interventions across diverse protected Natura 2000 sites, the project will focus on habitat restoration, invasive species control, environmental monitoring and wildlife conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Ambjent Malta Director General Herman Galea stated, \u201cThe E-CORE Project is strengthening the protection of Malta\u2019s Natura 2000 sites while helping people connect with nature. Through the work of Ambjent Malta\u2019s Nature Stewards, visitors can better understand the importance of biodiversity and the shared responsibility of protecting our natural heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Scientific Officer at Ambjent Malta\u2019s Environment Projects Directorate Alexander Borg Galea explained that, \u201cThrough the E-CORE Project, we are restoring key habitats, protecting vulnerable species, and enhancing Natura 2000 sites to ensure Malta\u2019s natural heritage can be enjoyed and safeguarded for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Environment and Resources Authority Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mercieca stated that \u201cThe E-CORE project is a significant investment in Malta\u2019s natural environment, marking a shift from legal protection to active ecosystem management and restoration. Through the collaboration between ERA and Ambjent Malta, we are combining scientific knowledge with on-the-ground implementation to strengthen the conservation of our Natura 2000 sites. The project\u2019s success will be measured not only by the works carried out on-site and the new facilities available for public enjoyment, but also by the natural Heritage which will be passed down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Project E-CORE will also introduce new educational and visitor facilities, including the transformation of the former Marfa Radar Station into a Natura 2000 and Nocturnal Fauna Interpretation Centre and the development of a Buskett Water Heritage Trail. Enhanced visitor infrastructure, awareness campaigns and training opportunities for conservation professionals will further support the sustainable management of Malta&#8217;s protected areas.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div><p id=\"pvc_stats_59651\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"59651\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p><div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major \u20ac9 million investment to strengthen Natura 2000 network One of the most ambitious biodiversity initiatives ever undertaken was launched to strengthen ecological resilience and sustainable visitor management across our country\u2019s Natura 2000 network. Through this sustainable approach the Project aims to educate and inform the visiting public about the importance of these sites, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_59651\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"59651\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":59652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-local-news"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"thumbnail":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-150x104.jpg",150,104,true],"medium":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-300x208.jpg",300,208,true],"medium_large":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"large":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"1536x1536":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"2048x2048":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_0x420":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_80x60":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-80x60.jpg",80,60,true],"td_218x150":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-218x150.jpg",218,150,true],"td_324x400":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-324x300.jpg",324,300,true],"td_696x0":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_1068x0":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_100x70":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-100x70.jpg",100,70,true],"td_265x198":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-265x198.jpg",265,198,true],"td_324x160":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-324x160.jpg",324,160,true],"td_324x235":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-324x235.jpg",324,235,true],"td_356x220":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-356x220.jpg",356,220,true],"td_356x364":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-356x300.jpg",356,300,true],"td_533x261":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a-432x261.jpg",432,261,true],"td_534x462":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_696x385":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_741x486":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false],"td_1068x580":["http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pr261402a.jpg",432,300,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Bernard Lynch","author_link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/author\/bernardlynch\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Major \u20ac9 million investment to strengthen Natura 2000 network One of the most ambitious biodiversity initiatives ever undertaken was launched to strengthen ecological resilience and sustainable visitor management across our country\u2019s Natura 2000 network. Through this sustainable approach the Project aims to educate and inform the visiting public about the importance of these sites, and&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59651"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59653,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59651\/revisions\/59653"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}