Throughout this week, students will sow hundreds of seeds of indigenous trees and participate in other activities at Xrobb l-Għaġin Park and Sustainable Development Centre as part of the Education for Sustainable Development Programme organised by Nature Trust (Malta).

The students will also experience the Aleppo Pine Forest, which hosts the tallest trees in the Xrobb l-Għaġin Park and Sustainable Development Centre.

They will also experience the Aleppo Pine Forest, which hosts the tallest trees in the park. The forest, along with the rest of the park’s afforested land, is the result of Nature Trust (Malta)’s afforestation projects between 2007 and 2010 prior it opening to the public in April 2011.

During the first term of the current scholastic year the park hosted visits by 650 students, some of whom were involved in tree planting sessions. This will continue in the coming months.

A record 3,600 students visited the park during the previous scholastic year and 2,000 students visited in 2013-2014.

Trees play an important role in issues such as climate change, improved air quality and a healthy lifestyle. The NGO is therefore proactive with regard to afforestation and reforestation, reflecting ongoing global campaigns to plant trees for a more sustainable future.

Nature Trust (Malta) is participating in international campaigns such as the Plant a Tree for Peace organised by Leaf International, and ENO Environmental Online, which targets the planting of 100 million trees by 2017 in about 120 countries including Malta.

The NGO appeals to the national authorities to place the environment in the Maltese islands higher on its agenda and implement afforestation projects where possible as part of its efforts to promote a sustainable lifestyle for all who live and visit the Maltese islands.

In this regard it asked what was the outcome of the afforestation report that was commissioned some months ago by the Environment Ministry.

www.naturetrustmalta.org