Kalkara Goes Green: Volunteers Plant 75 Native Trees Across The Area In Support Of National Project
The Heritage Association of Kalkara spent the weekend with a number of volunteers working to plant a total of 75 trees across Kalkara. The initiative was organised in conjunction with the environmental organisation Saġġar.
All species planted are native to the Maltese islands and were donated by Saġġar who also lent a hand in planting the saplings.
Credit: Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara
The initial drive behind the movement began several months ago when the association laid down their intent to plant a number of trees in areas in and around the southern locality.
Saġġar is currently coordinating a national project to plant more trees around Malta and the associations immediately welcomed the appeal.
Credit: Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara
All trees planted are indigenous and therefore non-invasive to the Maltese environment.
Species planted included Chaste Trees, Buckthorn, Tamarisk, Bay Leaf, Myrtle, Sandarac Gum Tree, Holm Oak and Christ’s Thorn.
A preliminary inspection was held around the streets of Kalkara to establish the necessary areas to tackle first, but the group also made sure to green up the local Primary School.
Permits were acquired through the local council with reports of local residents pledging to help with the maintenance and watering of the trees during their first few years.
Credit: Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara
From left to right : Clayton Sammut (Saġġar), Jamie Barbara (Saġġar), Josette Deguara (AWK), Claude Ebejer (Saġġar), Duncan Brincat (AWK), Nathalie Seguna (AWK), Benjamin Vassallo (AWK) and Etienne Camilleri (AWK)
In a statement, the association stressed that this is just the initiation of an ultimate goal to increase the amount of trees in the area and secure the best natural environment on the island for coming generations.