As summer arrives on the Maltese Islands, rising daytime temperatures, lack of rainfall and long spells of dry weather mark the end of the current tree planting season. It’s also the perfect time to reflect on what has been a busy and highly rewarding first year for Siġar, a new, officially registered voluntary organisation set up in August 2024. (Ref: VO/2518 – Siġar translates as ‘trees’ in Maltese).
This volunteer-led environmental e-NGO based on Gozo, focused on planting indigenous trees across the island – by holding seven successful partnerships ‘dig and plant’ sessions with Nadur, Qala, Fontana and Żebbuġ local councils, and by teaming up with students and teaching staff from Nadur Primary, Sannat Primary, and Victoria Middle schools.
From August 2024 to early May 2025, the team of Siġar volunteers gave one hundred and sixty-five hours to plant twenty-three indigenous trees, including; Carob, Elm, Holm Oak, Cypresses, Fig, Lentisk, Judas trees, Olives and Malta’s National Tree, the Sandarac Gum Tree (Siġra tal-Għargħar). All the young trees raised from local seeds or cuttings were sourced from the island’s Plant Nursery and Experimental Farm managed by the Rural Gozo Directorate at the Ministry for Gozo and Planning.
Siġar is using locally grown trees to transform Gozo’s community spaces into greener sites, focusing on small scale urban projects, and working in collaboration with councils and EkoSkola/LEAF groups based within local schools on the island. Each tree also has its own unique, numbered ‘tree information plaque’ (TIP) with text in English and Maltese, giving botanical details.
For the Siġar volunteer team, perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of the project has been the obvious enthusiasm and energy brought to the ‘hands-on’ hole digging and follow-up tree planting sessions involving Gozitan students and teachers. ‘Learning through doing’ in nature’s outdoor classrooms has provided unique educational opportunities for everyone involved with the project, and generated genuine interest, together with a real sense of pride and achievement by the participants (and in some instances tree planting ‘bragging rights’ were shared in the playground by students taking part!).
Here comes the sun
Over the next long hot summer months, whilst many of us head to Gozo’s beaches beach, seek out welcome shade, or reach for the Air Con remote, the dedicated band of Siġar volunteer ‘Tree Champions’ will continue to ensure all the newly planted trees survive and thrive. Watering will be needed for the weeks ahead, with each tree receiving a minimum of twenty liters of water per week.
For the first time on Gozo, Siġar is also piloting the new ‘Groasis Waterboxx’ Ecological Water Saving Technology system, which is potentially more efficient with water, enabling us to plant trees in areas where water is scarce. This system is being generously funded by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
Learning to plant trees
With less than 2% forest cover on the Maltese Islands, Siġar is committed to enriching Gozo’s landscapes through projects that complement other larger afforestation initiatives. The key to success involves planting the right tree, in the right place, in the right way, which is why the e-NGO’s tree expert also shares best horticultural practices and techniques with volunteers, students, teachers, local council staff, and members of the public.
Cultivating a greener tomorrow for Gozo
According to the Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago” and whilst we can’t time travel (just yet), Siġar believes the second-best time is now – which is why the e-NGO is driven by a mission to enrich Gozo’s natural beauty through sustainable growth, planting trees in schools and working in partnership with local councils and other local agencies, to create thriving green spaces for future generations.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago”
Planting trees offers numerous benefits, which impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. Trees improve air and water quality, help combat climate change, introduce new habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity, provide welcome shade and reduce noise pollution and provide rewarding volunteer opportunities.
Interested, or want to know more?
Please visit the website for more details about the project, volunteering opportunities, and fundraising options to support the work of Siġar.
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This article was written by Simon Wallace
