The LEAF programme Learning About Forests

General Information One of the 5 FEE programmes. Launched by FEE in An international school and forest programme. Initiated by the traditional forest in schools programmes in Norway, Sweden and Finland in cooperation with FEE (based on outdoor learning). Promoting sustainable development through environmental education. 20 country members.

Vision and Mission Vision To see an increased level of awareness and knowledge about the key role forests play for sustainable life on our planet. Mission To spread environmental education concerning forests and all their values among school children all around the world, through the action-oriented, participatory, and positive methods of the programme.

Programme Philosophy 1) All educational activities should be adapted to the local needs of teachers and their students and be suitable for the local curriculum. 2) The programme will reflect all the functions forests fulfil for people; ecological, economical and socio-cultural. 3) Forests, forestry, forest products, and recycling are knit together in an everlasting loop.

Award Criteria To receive the certificate of participation the participants must fulfil the following criteria: The self-selected activities must cover multiple functions of forests; –ecological understanding of forests and forest processes –economical dimension of forests –socio-cultural understanding of forests The school must work on at least one of the LEAF themes each year. The participating schools/classes/groups need to include field trips to forests or at least carry out activities outdoor in a park or similar areas. Each participant may send one application each year. The application is a standard form for each school to fill in.

Awards and Certificates If all programme activities are carried out in accordance to LEAF criteria, the school will receive a certificate of participation. Discussions are underway to develop a higher standard award for outstanding school projects and initiatives in LEAF countries.

The local scenario Forest land cover Natural limiting factors Issues and threats Adult intervention Student empowerment

Forest land cover Land area : 316 km 2 Population: 410,000

Natural limiting factors Soil scarcity Soil condition Water Wind conditions As a result natural ecological succession is very slow……… Steppe -> Garigue -> Maquis -> Woodland

Issues and threats Land development Introduction of invasive species due to landscaping Replacing Tamarisk trees on the coast roads with Palm trees Genetic pollution ex: importation of carob trees from countries nearby with a genetically distinct configuration

Issues and threats Pruning ??!! Uprooting??!!

Issues and threats Fly-tipping Vandalism Arson attacks

Adult Intervention Enforcement and protection by local authorities 30 new Tree protection areas Afforestation projects Business community support through CSR exercises Lobbying by various environmental NGOs to manage/ protect vulnerable sites (Natura 2000 sites) Issuing of passports for plants propagated in nurseries Permaculture (helping to facilitate ecological succession) FSC certified paper introduced in most government departments Giving ESD more clout

30 New Tree Protection Areas 01. In-Nigret Area (l/o in-Naxxar) 02. Ġnien il-Kbir, il-Buskett & Wied il-Girgenti 03. Iċ-Ċimiterju ta’ l-Addolorata 04. Il-Ballut tal-Imġiebaħ (l/o il-Mellieħa) 05. Il-Ballut tal-Wardija (l/o San Pawl il-Baħar) 06. Il-Maqluba (l/o il-Qrendi) 07. Wied Qirda (l/o is-Siġġiewi) 08. Il-Wied tal-Baħrija (l/o ir-Rabat) 09. L-Imtaħleb Area (l/o ir-Rabat) 10. Triq il-Wied, l-Msida 11. Iċ-Ċagħaq (l/o l-Mġarr) 12. Dawret il-Wied/Wied il-Għasel (l/o il-Mosta) 13. Wied ir-Rum (l/o ir-Rabat) 14. Il-Wied tal-Fiddien (l/o ir-Rabat) 15. Iż-Żebbuġ tal-Bidnija (l/o il-Mosta) 16. Ta’ Bloq/Għar Ħanżir Area (l/o Ħal Qormi & is-Siġġiewi) 17. Tal-Virgi (l/o Marsaskala) 18. Wied Għollieqa (l/o San Ġwann & l-Msida) 19. Ta’ Baldu / Wied Ħażrun Area (l/o ir-Rabat) 20. Wied il-Faħam (l/o Ħal Għargħur) 21. Wied il-Ħut (l/o ir-Rabat) 22. Il-Wied il-Miżieb Area (l/o il-Mellieħa) 23. Wied Moqbol (l/o iż-Żurrieq) 24. Ta’ San Blas (l/o ir-Rabat) 25. Wied Żembaq (l/o Birżebbuġa) 26. Għajn Barrani (l/o ix-Xagħra) 27. Il-Qattara Area (l/o San Lawrenz) 28. Wied Binġemma (l/o in-Nadur) 29. Il-Ħażina (Kemmuna) 30. Il-Qala ta’ Santa Marija (Kemmuna )

Student Empowerment Actual hands on activities in countryside Potting seeds Tree planting sessions organised with the involvement NGOs and Local councils Production of Carob syrup/ juices and jams Visits to nurseries and natural parks Using endemic species to create an endemic garden in schools/ communities Greenhouses from recycled plastic bottles Paper recycling Pre-election memorandum presented to Local authorities to stop sending junk mail or opt for s/ smses

Student empowerment

Potential projects Further awareness on the unique natural habitats through fieldwork. Monitoring vulnerable sites with old forests remains. Closing the loop - Joining forces with local authors to put pressure on local publishing houses to print on pre/post consumer material. Studies on indigenous trees to determine carbon dioxide uptake rates – carbon offsetting. Seed banks. Assisting local councils in the upkeep of green areas within the locality.

Potential projects The impact of different plant varieties imported by Garden centres on local flora. Tackling unsustainable interventions by authorities ( Ex: upkeep of trees in afforested areas/ upkeep of traffic islands and roundabouts in main traffic junctions). Pressure on authorities/ project managers to make use of endemic species for landscaping in new schools which are currently being built. Establish links between students on an international level to provide the opportunity for students to experience forests.

Projections Utilising existent channels established through Eco- Schools, YRE and Blue Flag programmes. Marketing programme as an opportunity to spend more time outdoors. Meeting with various local entities / organisations. Establishing links with other countries.

Opportunities / WIFM Funding (ITF) Sponsors (Panasonic- Tree planting fund) Exchanges Facilities Resources Link with EkoSkola /YRE School Ethos

Thank you!

Contact details Johann Gatt Mob: Website: