During a special event held at Xrobb l-Għaġin Nature Park earlier this month, 64 students from four EkoSkola schools planted 53 tamarisk trees together with consuls from various consulates and other dignitaries representing the Commonwealth countries.
The tree planting session, which brought to a close the official EkoSkola-CHOGM events, was organised by Nature Trust Malta through its international Education for Sustainable Development Programmes – EkoSkola, YRE (Young Reporters for the Environment) and LEAF (Learning about Forests); the CHOGM taskforce; the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society; and the Office of the Prime Minister.
Students from Helen Keller Resource Centre Qrendi, St Monica School Birkirkara, San Ġorġ Preca College – Floriana Primary and St Clare College – San Gwann Primary B, read out the declaration that was prepared during the EkoSkola-CHOGM Young Citizen’s Summit that was held two weeks ago.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the occassion. The students then accompanied the dignitaries to plant the trees and attach the flags of the respective Commonwealth country to the newly planted trees.
The tamarisk (Tamrix africana) trees are a living reminder of resilience, an attribute that was brought to the fore in various CHOGM forums during the past week. Resilience in the face of adversity posed by the incumbent sea spray that frequently showers the coastal site due to strong southeasterly winds.
The 53 tamarisk trees that were planted will form part of a wider initiative of an international NGO (ENO – Environment Online) which is cooperating with LEAF Malta and is present in more than 150 countries through a virtual network of educators. ENO has made a commitment at the UN RIO+20 Summit of planting 100 million trees by 2017.
LEAF Malta is an international ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) outdoor learning programme run by Nature Trust Malta. It seeks to sensitise young learners and youth alike to appreciate the intricate relationships that take place in local woodlands and in forests around the world and how these can be compromised by the choices we make each day.During the five years from its inception LEAF has provided students with the opportunity to grow and plant hundreds of indigenous trees.