Today, Nature Trust – Fee Malta will be celebrating World Wetlands Day on the Maltese Islands.

The United Nations celebrates World Wetlands Day on the 2nd of February each year to raise awareness about this important, unique, rare and threatened habitat.

Nature Trust explained that wetlands are ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. Though they cover only around 6% of the Earth’s land surface, 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands.

In Malta, wetlands cover less than 0.5% of the coastline, making their restoration and conservation efforts even more important due to their unique biodiversity.

“Revive and restore degraded wetlands” is the theme chosen by the UN for 2023 highlighting the importance of wetland restoration, since well-restored wetlands can provide many of the services performed by the original natural wetland.

Nature Trust – FEE Malta has under its management two Natura 2000 coastal wetlands – that of Il-Ballut at Marsaxlokk, and Il-Maghluq at Marsascala.

Over the past few years, it said that restoration efforts have been in progress, featuring the planting of indigenous plants, management of alien invasive species, monitoring of water quality, and regular maintenance.

“Our priority remains on providing opportunities for outdoor education and involving the community in the process,” NTM said.

Nature Trust –Fee Malta thanked ERA for its support in managing the sites, as well as the numerous volunteers who help out on a personal level or as part of CSR activities.

Today, NTM will be planting various indigenous trees and shrubs in some of the sites it manages

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