This Mother's Day, as we honour those who nurture and protect us, let's not forget the one we all share - Mother Nature.
She gives us clean air, birdsong, natural beauty and life itself. Yet today in Malta, Mother Nature is under attack.
Birds are hunted and trapped. Habitats are destroyed. And those harming her are organised, loud and politically influential.
A country ignoring the Law
Illegal hunting continues, outside hunting and trapping seasons and even in protected bird sanctuaries like Comino and Buskett, as seen in incidents in previous months.
Highly protected birds are shot down and despite an ongoing EU infringement procedure, spring hunting of Turtle-doves was opened again this year.
Enforcement remains weak. In Gozo, the Environmental Protection Unit within the Malta Police Force is not allowed to operate.
Meanwhile, the EU continues to warn Malta over illegal finch trapping, illegal spring hunting and lack of enforcement in general, which experts confirm breaches EU Birds Directive.
And yet, offenders continue undeterred - because they are united and well-organised and supported by the authorities.
Scapoli's Shearwater
A dangerous illusion
In Malta, anyone wanting to kill or trap birds must be a member of a hunting or trapping group. That's the law.
But people who support living birds and nature are not obliged to join anything.
This creates a false perception - that more people support harming nature than protecting it.
That isn't true. Most people care deeply about wildlife and a healthy environment - but their voices remain unheard.
That's why becoming a BirdLife Malta member matters so much.
Reed warbler feeding the young
Be a voice for Mother Nature
BirdLife Malta is the country's largest environmental NGO, defending birds and habitats for over 60 years.
But it cannot do it alone. Nature cannot speak. Mother Nature needs you to speak for her.
Your voice is stronger when it joins thousands of others. Together, we are a force that cannot be ignored.
And it only takes one small step - just €20 a year - to make a real difference.
European turtle-dove
Support that counts
Your membership supports vital work across Malta:
- Rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds
- Monitoring and reporting illegal hunting and trapping
- Restoring reserves and protecting natural habitats
- Educating children and the public
- Advocating for stronger nature friendly policies in Malta and the EU
It's about making sure Mother Nature is not left to fight alone.
Eurasian spoonbill
Numbers that matter
Hunters and trappers are counted. Their strength is in numbers. That gives them political power.
But people who care about nature but stay silent are invisible. Uncounted. Powerless.
That's why we urgently need you to become a member. Help show Malta - and Europe - that nature has support too.
There is strength in unity. And it starts with you.
Salina wetland
BirdLife Malta is fighting on all fronts
BirdLife Malta's work goes beyond hunting and trapping.
We're challenging among others, the reckless development on Comino, where a new redevelopment of 140-room hotel and 16 bungalows threaten a Natura 2000 site.
We're campaigning against light pollution that disorients seabirds and continuously calling for better waste management in Natura 2000 areas.
Since 2016, BirdLife Malta has led the call for a Sulphur Emission Control Area in the Mediterranean. On 1 May 2025, it finally came into force - a big win for cleaner air for all.
We also expose greenwashing - when destructive policies are disguised as environmental progress. BirdLife Malta stands for truth, science, law and the well-being of all. But to keep fighting for Mother Nature, we need your voice.
This Mother's Day, give something back
Today, as we thank our mothers, let's also protect the one who gives us everything - Mother Nature. She's losing ground. She cannot campaign. She cannot speak.
But you can. Joining BirdLife Malta means standing up for her. It means being counted. It means saying: "I support life. I support nature. I support birds flying free - not being shot from the sky."
Don't leave her alone. Every nature lover who stays silent makes the problem worse. It allows the hunting lobby to appear stronger than it really is.
But when you join, you change that. You show Malta that nature matters. And you give strength to those who fight every day to protect what's wild, free and beautiful.
Join today
Don't let Mother Nature stand alone. Join the movement. Join BirdLife Malta. Scan the QR code (Click the link) to give her the voice she needs - and deserves. (Become a member or renew | BirdLife Malta)
BirdLife Malta is Malta's leading environmental NGO and a partner of BirdLife International. All memberships directly support conservation work.
Antonia Micallef is Public Engagement Executive, BirdLife Malta