Representatives of the Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry and a group of 25 members of the environmental society F.E.E of Minden, Germany, and members of The International Tree Foundation (Malta) were present at the Minden Grove, Ta’ Qali to plant another 100 olive trees.

The activity was the second sponsored phase of the tree planting project in partnership with the local environmental NGO, The Tree Foundation.

The Minden Grove project agreement, signed last year, envisages the planting of 1.1 hectares at Ta’ Qali National Park over a five year period through annual cash donations made by the German party.

The project is also financially supported by a number of German firms and individuals, especially from the town of Minden.

An innovative way of displaying the benefactors of the Minden Grove has been devised – particulars of donors are engraved in small glass blocks which are exhibited in double-glazed glass panels of the timber gazebo, newly erected in the grove.

German tourists and firms are being invited to plant trees in the grove through contacts being made by F.E.E and the council of Minden.

The German NGO F.E.E, (the Society for the Promotion of Sustainable Sources of Energy), has over the last 18 years donated to the people of Malta and Gozo, various fire-engines, vans, tree planting and related equipment, a trailer bowser and several tons of organic compost for public tree planting projects, with the cooperation of its Maltese partner NGO, the International Tree Foundation (Malta).