The 5th of June 2013 will be World Environment Day and on the same day the Wied Ghollieqa Nature Reserve will be celebrating 14 years of management by Nature Trust.

This small nature reserve is situated in the East-Northeast of Malta, surrounded by Kappara, San Gwann Industrial Estate, the University and Regional Road. A few centuries ago the spread of the valley reached down to the sea, but development throughout the ages dissipated most of the area.

The rest of the valley, which was subjected to further inroads in order to expand the University Car Park, was safeguarded to its present glory by a group of University students led by Orland Bonavia. Together they created the Arbor society, which today forms part of Nature Trust (Malta).

The group took it upon themselves to conserve the valley by writing a report on its ecological importance. In 1991 Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Stanley Zammit considered the evaluations and recommendations contained in the report and proclaimed Wied Ghollieqa a nature reserve.

The area was declared a protected site in 1993. During 1999, the management of the area was handed over to Nature Trust (Malta).

The degraded valley was restored by the students, who planted indigenous trees and shrubs and rebuilt the rubble walls. The valley is named after the large amount of bramble (ghollieqa) found in the area and is now home to many rare species of trees such as the Ash, Poplar and Evergreen Rose. Further trees were introduced, making the reserve a haven for birdlife and local wildlife.

Nowadays the reserve is also used as an educational site for young students and University students carrying out research and as a convenient fieldwork area for University students carrying out research.

‘The nature reserve is a testimony to the hard work and perserverance of a few young people, who united thousands of people to protect the area. This valley is a true example of how individuals can make a difference that can be enjoyed by future generations,” said Vincent Attard, Executive President of Nature Trust.

The valley affords free access to the public and, like many places around Malta, it is subjected to littering and dumping. The valley is cleaned regularly and visitors are educated about the dangers of waste to wildlife and about fire hazards.

“We urge the public to use the bins provided or, if there are no bins available, to bring their waste home. People seem to think that one’s waste is not significant, what they don’t realise is that there are many people with such an attitude, thus leaving whole areas covered in waste,” said Jeffrey Sciberras, Activities Officer with Nature Trust.

Two years ago a dissertation carried out by B.Sc student Zachary Engerer showed how the conservation measures carried out over the years helped to improve the entire habitat of the site.

On the occasion of Wied Ghollieqa’s fourteenth anniversary Nature Trust is therefore inviting the general public to submit photos, personal stories or ideas related to the Environment Day theme – THINK. EAT. SAVE – which slogan is spearheading a campaign against food waste. The eNGO will also be holding a clean-up of the Wied Ghollieqa Nature Reserve on a later date to be announced.

The winner of the competition will receive a turtle adoption pack, a visit to the turtles being rehabilitated at San Lucjan and a visit to Xrobb l-Ghagin nature park.

The closing date is the 30th of June. Photos, stories and other ideas, may be submitted to Nature Trust by email to acasellintm@gmail.com, or by post to P.O. Box 9 Valletta VLT 1000. For further instructions please contact Antonio on 21313150 or visit our facebook page.

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