Two large skips were filled with separated waste in less than two hours during a clean-up of part of the Pembroke Natura 2000 site recently.

The activity was organised by Nature Trust (Malta) in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Armed Forces of Malta, and the Pembroke local council. The crew of the USS Mount Whitney, as well as AFM personnel participated in the clean-up.

The waste collected included metal tanks, furniture, barbeque waste, rubble waste, papers, wood, and metal bars among other items. While thanking those who participated in the activity for their time and dedication, Nature Trust executive president Vincent Attard said, “It was commendable to see the US Navy and the AFM working together towards nature conservation on our Islands. Mr Attard added that it is a shame that some Maltese still consider the countryside as the dump yard for their waste, when today our country has a sufficient bulky waste disposal system and civic amenity sites. Furthermore our country depends on tourism and such irresponsible dumping is not helping Malta’s economy and jobs.”

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Arnold H. Campbell, who visited the clean-up site to offer his encouragement to the volunteers, said, “I am proud to see the best of U.S. Navy traditions being put into practice here in Malta. In every country they visit, U.S. Navy crewmembers consistently volunteer to reciprocate the warm hospitality they receive by participating in various community projects. The apparent camaraderie between the Maltese soldiers and the American sailors is synonymous with the excellent bilateral relationship our two countries enjoy.”

Pembroke is an important site from an ecological point of view. It is home to various orchids and endemic plants, as well as a variety of fauna such as chameleons, hedgehogs, black whip snakes and others.

From a historical point of view, there is the Madliena Tower, which Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna obtained from the government for restoration and management purposes in 2009. The tower was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Grandmaster De Redin as part of the construction of a chain of 13 other towers along the coast, whose purpose was to deter smuggling and warn about the presence of corsairs and pirates. In 1771, a rock-hewn fougasse was added as additional protection to the nearby inlet.

During the early part of the British period, the tower was used as an anti-smuggling post until it was ceded to the military, which used it as a flag post to mark the event of live firing at the nearby musketry and artillery ranges. During World War II the tower was also used as a beach post and a beach-gun position was also added.

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