Volunteers from 'Siġar', a newly registered Gozitan voluntary organization, hosted its first tree-planting event, in partnership with Nadur Local Council and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning on Saturday outside Ta' Kenuna Tower and Gardens in Nadur, Gozo,
Members of the environmental NGO were joined by the Mayor of Nadur, Edward Said, and supported by local tree expert Joseph Bonello from Ministry for Gozo by using this event as an opportunity to teach members of the public how to "plant the right tree, in the right way in the right place."
Siġar will hold similar events in all Gozo villages over time. It said that it aims to provide local volunteers with an opportunity to plant and learn to take care and grow young trees successfully despite Malta's challenging climate conditions. Siġar said that it will seek to involve local schools and volunteers from the wider community to participate in future small scale tree planting activities, including regular watering for the following two years to ensure that the healthy young trees establish correctly.
"Evidence shows that planting indigenous trees, particularly in urban settings, can help in the fight against climate change and support biodiversity. Trees absorb carbon emissions, release clean energy, decrease temperatures, provide welcome shade and serve as shelter and habitat for different species, thereby forming part of a chain in ecosystems which are so important for humans who depend on them every day. "
"In addition, trees can help local wildlife live and thrive by providing animals and insects with food and shelter, whilst supporting local ecosystems. Indigenous trees are also particularly suited to Gozo's climate conditions and soil types and, once planted, often require less water and fertiliser than non-native species," it said. Siġar said that it is committed to only use young trees raised from local seeds by collaborating with the island's Plant Nursery and Experimental Farm managed by the Rural Gozo Directorate.
"With less than 1% of tree cover in our country, Siġar NGO also believes there are many potential opportunities for small scale tree planting projects within Gozo villages, complimenting any larger afforestation projects and tree planting strategies currently supported by the local councils and the Ministry for Gozo. Siġar will work with them to cultivate a greener future for Gozo's residents and aims to increase the number of healthy trees planted on the island of Gozo."
Siġar is officially registered as a voluntary organisation (Ref: VO / 2518)
Photo by Siġar NGO