The HSBC Cares for the Environment Fund has once again shown its commitment to the 34U campaign, is the government’s national afforestation programme, through its sponsorship of more than 200 three-metre cypress trees at Salina Park.

This brings the total number of trees planted by HCEF at this site to over 2,700 amounting to Lm17,000 in less than two years.

The afforestation project at Salina Park was launched in October 2005. The project aims at increasing the recreational space of Kennedy Grove to five times its present size. The Park has an automatic irrigation system and a fence to protect the new trees during the early stages of their growth.

“Kennedy Grove is one of the more popular Sunday places with Maltese families,” said HSBC’s chief executive officer, Shaun Wallis. “Our support of Salina Park means HCEF is directly involved in making Malta greener over all. But it also means we are part of an embellishment project in an area that is frequented and popular with families and children. We encourage everyone to plant a tree under the 34U campaign.”

The informal recreational areas are getting a facelift and new park furniture is also being installed. The next stage is the restoration of the marshland area.