A total of 180 trees will be planted throughout the year to mark the one year since the inception of the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA).

The authority was set up as the result of a reform in which the environment was separated from the planning sector. This led to ERA being assigned the role to regulate the environment and resources as an autonomous authority.

The first trees to be planted, representing the total of its employees, are being planted in the Xrobb l-Għaġin Park at Delimara today.

ERA organised other activities for this occasion, including blood donation by its employees, a clean-up activity at Majjistral Park which is part of the Natura 2000 area, and removal of invasive alien species from the same place.

The ERA's main responsibilities carried out throughout its first year included the setting up of 30 management plans and conservation orders for Natura 2000 terrestrial sites. This year, ERA also carried out various analyses of industrial and development activities to reduce the possible negative impact on the environment.

This year, ERA also carried out various analyses of industrial and development activities to reduce the possible negative impact on the environment.