This year’s national ‘Grow a Tree’ campaign organised by the School Arbor Committee ended on 19 May with a prize-giving ceremony at the National Agricultural Research and Development Centre in Ghammieri.

The annual competition is open to all schools in Malta and Gozo, having the aim to encourage students to plant more trees while increasing awareness on the natural environment. It is seen of utmost importance for children to learn to grow trees from a very young age, so as they can contribute to the environment.

This year’s competition saw seven schools taking part which among them planted 2,669 trees. The school growing the largest number of trees for the second consecutive year was St Aloysius’ College, whose students walked away with two of six prizes awarded.

Chris Ciantar, Permanent Secretary at the Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry, explained that this year the government had planned to plant 30,000 trees under the Tree4U campaign. Some of the trees grown in the School Arbor Competition would contribute to achieve this target. Dr Ciantar said it was very important not to damage trees since it takes very long for trees to grow.

The School Arbor Committee also organises walks for schoolchildren every January to commemorate Arbor Day, which is celebrated on 16 January.