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Biodiversity: Local contacts

MEDMAQUIS – Malta and Sicily join forces to protect the Mediterranean Maquis Habitats – Education and Engagement (WP5)

MedMaquis is a cooperation project between Malta and Sicily, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Malta Programme 2021–2027. The project was created with a clear objective: to protect and strengthen Mediterranean maquis habitats, a natural heritage that is essential for environmental balance, community wellbeing and the quality of life in our territories. Today, the Mediterranean maquis faces major challenges, including wildfires, invasive alien species, climate change and biodiversity loss. Through pilot actions, restoration activities and preventive measures, MedMaquis works to strengthen ecosystem resilience across seven natural sites in Malta and Sicily. Alongside these environmental actions, the project places strong emphasis on education and active participation. WHERE THE PROJECT TAKES ACTION The pilot sites involved in MedMaquis are: In Malta: Buskett Pembroke NATURA2000 site Xrobb l-Għaġin park In Sicily: Bosco Santo Pietro (Caltagirone), Vallone Piano della Corte, Immacolatelle – Micio Conti Complex, Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve. These sites become living classrooms where students and communities can connect directly with environmental restoration and biodiversity protection. A COLLABORATION BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY MedMaquis is led by AVSI Foundation as Lead Partner, in collaboration with Nature Trust – FEE Malta, Ambjent Malta, the University of Palermo and the Sicilian association Il Ramarro. Through this cross-border partnership, technical expertise, scientific research and educational experience are combined to develop shared and replicable solutions for Mediterranean ecosystems. THE ROLE OF NATURE TRUST – FEE MALTA Within MedMaquis, Nature Trust – FEE Malta plays a leading role in structured educational and engagement activities. In the project, the organisation is represented by Vincent Attard, Johann Gatt and Marvic Refalo, who coordinate and support educational programmes and cross-border initiatives in Malta. Building on the EkoSkola network, Nature Trust develops and implements: structured environmental education programmes for schools outdoor learning experiences linked to restoration and wildfire prevention activities interactive workshops for students, educators and families cross-border exchanges between Maltese and Sicilian schools These activities aim not only to inform, but to actively involve young people in understanding environmental challenges and becoming responsible stewards of Mediterranean biodiversity. By connecting learning with real-life environmental action, MedMaquis encourages long-term environmental responsibility and shared care for natural heritage. EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES This page gathers the materials and outputs related to the education and engagement component of MedMaquis. These include: educational toolkits and structured learning materials documentation of school activities and exchanges workshop resources community engagement outputs reports and impact assessments related to educational actions Through these initiatives, MedMaquis strengthens dialogue between Malta and Sicily, fostering shared learning experiences and empowering students to take part in environmental protection. General communication and awareness materials related to MedMaquis are presented in the Communication and Awareness section

MEDMAQUIS – Malta and Sicily join forces to protect the Mediterranean Maquis Habitats – Communication and Awareness (WP2)

MedMaquis is a cooperation project between Malta and Sicily, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A Italy–Malta Programme 2021–2027. The project was created with a clear objective: to protect and strengthen Mediterranean maquis habitats, a natural heritage that is essential for environmental balance, community wellbeing and the quality of life in our territories. Today, the Mediterranean maquis faces several major threats: increasingly frequent wildfires the spread of invasive alien species the effects of climate change the progressive loss of biodiversity For this reason, MedMaquis implements concrete actions for prevention, restoration and environmental protection, supported by awareness activities targeting citizens, schools and local communities. The project lasts 30 months and is based on close cooperation between Maltese and Sicilian partners. WHERE THE PROJECT TAKES ACTION The pilot actions are implemented across seven natural sites of significant ecological value. In Malta: Buskett Pembroke NATURA 2000 site Xrobb l-Għaġin Park In Sicily: Bosco Santo Pietro (Caltagirone), Vallone Piano della Corte, Immacolatelle – Micio Conti Complex, Isola delle Femmine Nature Reserve In these areas, the project carries out: removal of invasive species planting of native species installation of wildfire prevention signage environmental monitoring through innovative tools such as the IAS App and the use of drones The objective is to strengthen ecosystem resilience and develop solutions that can be replicated in other Mediterranean territories. A COLLABORATION BETWEEN MALTA AND SICILY MedMaquis is led by AVSI Foundation as Lead Partner, in collaboration with Nature Trust – FEE Malta, Ambjent Malta, the University of Palermo and the Sicilian association Il Ramarro. The project also involves institutions and local organisations that contribute scientific, technical and educational expertise, strengthening cooperation between the two islands. THE ROLE OF NATURE TRUST – FEE MALTA Within MedMaquis, Nature Trust – FEE Malta plays a central role in awareness-raising and community engagement activities. In the project, the organisation is represented by Vincent Attard, Johann Gatt and Marvic Refalo, who coordinate and support educational and awareness initiatives across Malta. Through the EkoSkola network and its institutional channels, Nature Trust promotes knowledge of Mediterranean biodiversity and encourages responsible behaviours, involving students, educators and families in environmental protection. To inform means to build awareness — and awareness is the first step in protecting our territory. COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS MATERIALS This page gathers the communication and awareness materials developed within the MedMaquis project. These tools are designed to: clearly explain the environmental challenges affecting the Mediterranean maquis highlight the actions carried out in the pilot sites promote sustainable behaviours make the project results accessible to a wider audience The available materials are intended for both the general public and the school community, including informative content and dedicated infographics. More structured educational activities, as well as exchange initiatives and active participation programmes, are presented in the section dedicated to education and engagement RESOURCES AND DOWNLOADABLE MATERIALS Download the project brochure Download the infographic “Why Biodiversity Matters for Everyday Life Download the school presentation “The Mediterranean Maquis” Download the teacher’s guide for the school presentation “The …

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]