Arbor Day was celebrated in Gozo today at Gozo College Zebbug Primary, with an event organised by the EkoSkola Committee – which is mostly formed by children elected by their school friends, as well as staff members, children and the School Council.

Known locally as ‘Jum is-Sigar f’Ghawdex,’ Arbor Day got underway with a tree planting event by the children in the three gardens, of citrus, Palm and Olive orchard and one that focuses on Maltese trees and plants. Representatives of each class were given packets of seed for native trees.

This was followed by a a programme of events by the children with a ‘Giving Tree’ theme, which took place in the assembly hall.

Arbor Day was marked by a message from the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, who said that during the last three years more than 5,400 trees, 244,000 plants and nearly 31,000 shrubs have been planted around the island.

They were planted at various sites around Gozo including the Three Hills Garden in Marsalforn, as well as areas of afforestation through the SIMBIOTIC project, on three sites of which are on government land and one other on private land include the Government Farm at Xewkija, an olive grove at Ta ‘Lambert in Xewkija, a site at Dahlet Qorrot, limits of Nadur and a site on Ghammar Hill near Ta ‘Pinu.

The Minister said that the Ministry for Gozo is also rehabilitating Qortin, a disused quarry site, with the planting of 9,000 trees.

Also present for the event was the Mayor of Zebbug, Nicky Saliba and the Children’s Commissioner Helen D’Amato

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