As part of the Arbor week activities, another 500 indigenous trees and shrubs are being planted at the Mater Dei Hospital, by staff members and Green leaders. The trees are being planted in an area that was previously a degraded site and is presently being transformed into a small Mediterranean woodland. This area, when completed, will include educational information panels on the flora of the site and a small recreational area for staff, visitors and patients alike.

The Mediterranean woodland project, is a joint project between, Go plc who are sponsoring the trees as part of their corporate environmental responsibility, Nature Trust (Malta) who is providing the trees and shrubs and the educational panels the Mater Dei management and staff who are planting and maintaining the trees.

During the event Mr Vincent Attard – Executive President of Nature Trust (Malta) thanked Go and mater Dei for their support to such initiatives. He said that with the area being close to an industrial area, the woodland would help provide a green lung to the hospital. Furthermore with the site touching Wied Ghollieqa from san Gwann side, this project will also complement the work NTM is doing further down the valley at the Wied Ghollieqa Nature Reserve. He concluded by commending Go for their Environmental commitment and urged other companies to do the same and give their share to our natural heritage.

GO CEO David Kay said: “GO is proud to be part of this project involving the planting of several indigenous plants in the Maltese islands. We look forward to further this collaboration with Nature Trust as well as the Mater Dei Hospital so that we help make Malta greener, thus reducing our carbon emissions footprint.”

Ms Marion Rizzo, Chief Executive Mater Dei Hospital added, “This initiative marks another event which is helping in the upgrading of the external areas of Mater Dei Hospital. The aim is to restore the area, which forms part of Wied Ghollieqa, to its original splendour. In fact, another 500 indigenous trees and shrubs will be planted. Amongst the trees and shrubs which will be planted are carob trees (Harrub), Holm Oak (Ballut), Aleppo Pines, Myrtle (Rihan) and Rosemary (Klin). Wied Ghollieqa was particularly populated with carob and holm oak trees.”

All this was possible through the collaboration with GO plc and Nature Trust and the hard work of the Green Focal Points and MDH Green Committee, who were also thanked during the address. Ms Rizzo took the opportunity to remind the audience that such efforts have a very positive outcome. In fact, this project was part of the reason which helped Mater Dei in winning the Environmental Award for Industry organized by the Cleaner Technology Centre. Also, when the project will be finalized, this area will offer a breathing space to patients, staff and the general public.

It is hoped that this part of the project will be completed within the coming months where the area will then be open for all to enjoy.

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