For the second consecutive year LEAF Malta, organised ‘ENO-Plant a Tree for Peace’ which was held at Xrobb l-Għaġin Sustainable Development Centre. LEAF is an international ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) programm run by FEE (Foundation for Environment Education) and represented locally by NatureTrust Malta. 11 schools attended for this event with a total of around 185 students and teachers.
Unfortunately due to persistent rain showers during the weekend, the soil was waterlogged and no trees could be planted. However the event continued as planned in the picnic area of the park. The event started with an address by Mr. Johann Gatt (National LEAF Coordinator) who emphasised the importance of trees in our lives, and a speech read by a student from St.Michael’s School St.Venera. The student focused on the benefits of trees, the need to take more care of nature for present and future generations and the contrasting realities of today’s world with ongoing conflicts in several regions. In a symbolic gesture, to advocate for Peace in the world more than 100 seeds from native trees were sown by the students present. The seed sowing session was organised in collaboration with the PARK’s Directorate as part of the Life Project Saving Buskett.
The students then had the opportunity to participate in various workstations led by experts in the subject. The stations included; Alter Aqua presentations on water managment, flora of Xrobb l-Għaġin Park, the LifeMedGreen Roof Project, the importance of cypress trees (Cypfire project), controlling grass fires – (Civil Protection Department) and information about plant pests and diseases (Plant Health Directorate).
The students besides enjoying and being engaged in the activities planned, had the unexpected opportunity to watch a drill done by the AFM with the helicopter which flew very low across the cliffs of Delimara.
The event was over by noon and ended with a meaningful song by students from St.Margaret’s College Żabbar Primary A.
This news report was compiled and written by Keith Attard, Jake Vella, Ben Spiteri
Young Reporters for the Environment
St Michael School, St Venera
NB: Plant a tree for Peace campaign is coordinated by Environment Online- ENO which is a global virtual school network for sustainable development. ENO made a strong commitment in Rio+20 Summit of planting 100 million trees by 2017.