The LEAF forest team from St Michael School recently visited Buskett to collect seeds from native tree species as part of the international LEAF (Learning About Forests) programme which is locally run by Nature Trust Malta. The outdoor activity was organised in collaboration with the PARKs department within the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change. Mr Neville Ebejer (PARKs Environment Officer) shared his experience on the methods used and the ideal time of the year to collect and sow the seeds. Mr Johann Gatt ( National LEAF coordinator) elaborated on the intricate relationships between living organisms inhabiting Buskett woodland and the importance of trees in our daily lives.
The seeds gathered from the Narrow Leaved Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) in Maltese; Fraxxnu and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) in Maltese; Żnuber, will be used for another LEAF project during the coming scholastic year to further nurture the love for trees in schools and the neighbouring communities.
Emerson Gatt
LEAF forest team member