The summer heat is still on but preparations are already underway at The Gaia Foundation's centre, in Ghajn Tuffieha in preparation for another tree planting spree next winter.

Gaia's Elysium Tree Nursery and Visitor Centre, which was opened in October, 2002, was visited by Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, chairman of the Vodafone Malta Foundation. She was given a tour of the indigenous and endemic plants that are being propagated.

Executive director Rudolf Ragonesi explained that Gaia, in collaboration with the Ministry for Environment, the EU's Life programme, the Malta Tourism Authority and Bank of Valletta, had over the last four years planted more than 14,000 trees and shrubs at Ghajn Tuffieha and Ramla in Gozo and was planning to plant an average of 3,000 to 4,000 plants a year in the coming seasons.

He said that water remained the number one challenge since even indigenous trees suffered the long and harsh dry season for the first couple of years.

Mrs Mifsud Bonnici was also shown Gaia's visitor centre facilities, which were set up to cater for school trips and workshops, as well as for the eco traveller and which provide general information about the environment and environmental health, as well as about its coastal management projects.

Mrs Mifsud Bonnici said it was a pleasure for the Vodafone Malta Foundation to be associated with an organisation that is so committed towards the enhancement of the natural landscape. Through this partnership the foundation was fulfilling one of its main objectives, that of helping to protect our natural environment and heritage.

She wished Gaia success in achieving its objectives and said she hoped that more visitors would avail themselves of the facilities provided in order to enhance environmental education.

Mrs Mifsud Bonnici concluded her visit by presenting the Gaia Foundation with a cheque covering a grant for its tree planting projects.

Dr Ragonesi thanked the Vodafone Malta Foundation for supporting Gaia's biodiversity programme.