Local contacts Archives

Biodiversity: Local contacts

MEDMAQUIS – Malta and Sicily join forces to protect the Mediterranean Maquis Habitats

The MEDMAQUIS project reference number C1-2.3-26 falls under the EU funded Interreg Italia-Malta Programme 2021-2027. Cross-border partnership led by AVSI launches pilot actions on wildfire prevention and invasive species across seven natural sites. A new cross-border project, MedMaquis, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy-Malta Programme, has been launched to protect and restore Mediterranean Maquis habitats in Malta and Sicily. The initiative focuses on tackling major threats to biodiversity – including wildfires, invasive alien species, and climate change – while promoting environmental awareness among citizens and schools. PROJECT TO BRING BENEFITS TO BUSKETT, PEMBROKE AND XROBB L-GĦAĠIN In Malta, MedMaquis will implement pilot actions in Buskett, Pembroke and Xrobb l-Għaġin. Activities include the removal of invasive plants, the planting of native species, and the installation of new wildfire prevention signage. Innovative tools such as the IAS App, drones and Groasis Waterboxx technology will support monitoring and restoration efforts. Sicilian sites involved in the project include Bosco Santo Pietro (Caltagirone), Vallone Piano della Corte, the Immacolatelle-Micio Conti Complex and the Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve. CROSS-BORDER PARTNERSHIP The 30-month project is led by AVSI Foundation ETS, in collaboration with Nature Trust – FEE Malta, Ambjent Malta, the University of Palermo, and the Sicilian association Il Ramarro. Maltese and Sicilian institutions also supporting the initiative include the University of Malta, Civil Protection Department Malta, the Municipality of Caltagirone, Assocea Messina, University of Catania, LIPU and the Committee of Promoters of the Charter of Municipalities Custodians of the Mediterranean Maquis. The partnership aims to develop shared strategies and replicable solutions for the Mediterranean region by combining technical expertise and field experience from both islands. NATURE TRUST MALTA’S ROLE IN MEDMAQUIS Biodiversity plays a fundamental role in protecting natural territories and supporting community wellbeing. Through the MedMaquis project, partners from Italy and Malta work together to safeguard Mediterranean maquis habitats, strengthening the environmental, social and economic benefits provided by healthy ecosystems. In this context, Nature Trust – FEE Malta, represented within the project by Vincent Attard, Johann Gatt and Marvic Refalo, contributes through environmental education and awareness-raising activities, engaging local communities in the protection of natural heritage. The organisation will lead and support structured environmental education programmes for schools, including outdoor learning experiences connected to restoration and wildfire prevention activities, interactive workshops and awareness sessions for students, educators and families. MedMaquis will also promote cross-border school exchanges between Malta and Sicily, fostering dialogue, shared learning and a deeper understanding of Mediterranean biodiversity challenges and solutions. By empowering younger generations, Nature Trust aims to strengthen environmental responsibility and encourage long-term stewardship of Malta’s natural ecosystems. Biodiversity plays a fundamental role in protecting natural territories and supporting community wellbeing. Through the MedMaquis project, partners from Italy and Malta work together to safeguard Mediterranean maquis habitats, strengthening the environmental, social and economic benefits provided by healthy ecosystems. In this context, Nature Trust-FEE Malta contributes to the project through environmental education and awareness-raising activities, engaging local communities in the protection of natural heritage. Caring for our …

Wild Plants in Malta

maltawildplants.com is an online archive of Flora website made by Mr Stephen Mifsud, M.Sc Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants. He can be contacted on [email protected] Within the same website one can find things such as a botanical project to identify plants www.maltawildplants.com/floramelitensiskeys/Fumaria.php A website about wild funghi and fauna on the Maltese Islands, also by Stephen Mifsud can be found here: www.maltafauna.com

Protecting our native forests/woodland – LEAF

Through this link you will be lead to our sister website www.leafmalta.org and the resource section aimed at Protecting our native forests/woodland.

Planting More Trees – LEAF

Through this link you will be lead to our sister website www.leafmalta.org and the resource section aimed at Planting More Trees

Making Responsible Choices – LEAF

Through this link you will be lead to our sister website www.leafmalta.org and the resource section aimed at Making Responsible Choices

Instilling love for trees – LEAF

Through this link you will be lead to our sister website www.leafmalta.org and the resource section aimed at instilling love for trees.

LEAF Newsletter 2

The local LEAF newsletter gives updates about activities organised by Learning about Forests Malta, information about trees and other biodiversity issues, contacts and points to ponder…

LEAF Newsletter 1

The local LEAF newsletter gives updates about activities organised by Learning about Forests Malta, information about trees and other biodiversity issues, contacts and points to ponder…

Information about the LEAF programme for teachers…

Interested to participate in the LEAF (Learnign about Forests) Programme in Malta? Below is the link to the presentation made by Mr Johann Gatt about the LEAF programme during the November 2013 FEE Programmes Seminar.

Fauna Issues

Contact person: Arnold Sciberras Became member of NTM when still a child. Was elected as on the NTN Council in 2005. Since then he contributed to several articles and Scientific works in all NTM`s publications including press releases for the same society.

Flora issues

Contact Person: Jeffrey Sciberras Has been a member of NTM since 2007. He was elected on Council in 2008. He has been the author of several floral articles in ‘Ballottra’, ‘Archipelago’, and also in the NTM’s Scientific Journal, ‘The Central Mediterranean Naturalist’.

Nature Trust Outdoor programmes

Nature Trust (Malta) believes that establishing a link with nature at an early age is the first step towards a further in-depth experiences and critical approach to our surroundings, its biodiversity and all the environmental issues we face on a local and global level.

Wied Ghollieqa outing

Wied Għollieqa is a good example of a restored habitat. Since 1990, the site managers, Nature Trust (Malta), have strived to convert a number of abandoned fields into typical local habitats.

Hands on Farming – Gozo

The Hands On Farming Program is intended to familiarise students with our local environment and with the Maltese farming industry. Students attend the Xewkija Experimental Farm for a half day visit, during which they are given information on the work carried out on the farm.

PARK Department

PARK (Parks, Afforestation and Countryside Restoration) is a department under the responsibility of the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. Its main target is to develop and maintain recreation areas like the Ta’ Qali National Park, promote tree planting and restore countryside areas such as country paths, rubble walls etc.

Explaining the LEAF programme

Learning about Forests is another FEE programme made available to maltese schools by Nature Trust Malta. The national coordinator is Mr Johann Gatt who can be contacted by email on [email protected]