Dwarfs with a green mission, global warming, environmental challenges, trophies and school commitment were all part of the launch of Dinja Waħda, an environmental education campaign carried out by Birdlife Malta and Bank of Valletta annually in primary schools.
During the launch in November, 74 schools received awards for their participation in last year's Dinja Waħda. The ceremony was given a lively touch by Zoo animators, who engaged their young audience in a green version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Through 30 activities in an Action Guide distributed to all primary schools, Birdlife invites teachers to take their classes on a journey of discovery and environmental awareness. Children who participate in Dinja Waħda write promise cards to animals, learn about bird migration, do animal craft, understand the basic concepts of global warming and do hands-on activities in some of Malta's unique habitats, among other initiatives. Don't wait till school starts again for your children to continue this journey. Read on for some easy-to-follow steps to a green Christmas.
Stocking for the birds:
At this time, children are eagerly waiting to see their stocking bulging. Give them a turn at playing Santa and have them prepare a stocking for the birds. Find empty plastic bottles or containers the children could decorate, with paints or colourful star cut-outs from magazines. Fill the containers with Christmas cake crumbs, pop them in the stockings you chose for the birds and hang them in a row. Now your children have a supply of winter food for the birds and they can play at Santa delivering goodies every time the bird table goes bare. If you don't have a bird table you could use part of your garden or the window ledge instead to help wild birds during winter.
Save yourself the hassle of thinking what to buy:
Do your children love animals? Are they nature-lovers? Then give them a voucher that goes a longer way than a simple Christmas offer.
Enrol them in Klabb Ħuttaf, Birdlife's junior membership, and you're giving them a year's supply of nature-packed magazines, a free book on the beauty of nature, a membership card and the privilege of being a member of Malta's largest nature club for children. Club activities could take them on country walks, planting trees or for an evening's trip over the waves to hear the mystical Cory's shearwaters - a Christmas gift that could last a lifetime. Log on to www.birdlifemalta.org and click on Join/Renew.