Malta Scouts carry out tree planting at Mellieha, Malta

The Scout Association of Malta took the opportunity of thanking the Hon Minister George Pullicino, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment as well as the 34U Campaign organisers, for having extended an invitation to the Maltese scout groups and their members to participate in the Tree Planting weekend.

The tree-planting weekend was held at Mellieha (MALTA) between the 26th and 28th October 2007, where over 150 Scouts and Cubs from the 1st Birkirkara, the St. Michael’s School, as well as the Qrendi Scout Groups played a most important role.

The tree planting activity, together with visits to the Red Tower and the Ghadira Bird Sanctuary, helped the Maltese Scout groups and their members to better understand their scouting duty to fully appreciate, respect and protect the environment, its flora and fauna, as well as the Maltese wildlife.

The visit to the Historic Red Tower at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha was also a golden opportunity for all Scouting participants to learn more on the country’s history while appreciating the endless efforts of Din l-Art Helwa and its volunteers in the appreciation of Malta’s heritage and its historical sites.

The weekend activity also allowed the scout groups to set up camp in the Red Tower Complex, whilst promoting scouting to the general public, with the Maltese scouts helping to man a “First Aid” post, whilst also providing assistance to the event organisers.

A visit to the Ghadira Birdlife Nature reserve also gave one and all of its members the opportunity of observing the resident wildfowl in their natural environment, whilst Birdlife volunteers gave details of their breeding habits.

Reports and pictures of the Scouting participation at this event were forwarded to the local media as evidence of the scouting commitment as guardians of their local environment.

Prominence was also given to the Malta Scout Association’s commitment and participation in the United Nations Environment Programme, "Plant for the Planet",

During the weekend event, the Scout Association of Malta helping in the planting of over 15,000 Maltese indigenous trees, those were planted on the Mellieha ridge during the very same event.

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