ERA awards environmental enthusiasts

The Environment and Resources Authority has set up a Buonamico Award, to mark World Wildlife Day (celebrated yearly on the 3rd March) in order to honour environmental enthusiasts who have made significant contribution to our knowledge on local biodiversity and environmental resources.

This year, the ERA Board recognised the contribution and knowledge provided by two individuals. President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca awarded the 2017 award, at the President’s Palace in Attard, to Hubert Spiteri for his contribution to our knowledge on vascular plants (particularly, orchids) and Michael Briffa for his contribution to our knowledge on local flora, in particular on fungi, slime moulds and other flora.

This National Award has been named after Giovanni Francesco Buonamico, who was possibly one of the first Maltese botanists, writing the first unpublished Maltese Flora in 1670.

The ERA requires and relies on data on the local environmental resources, such as biodiversity, but which data may not be readily available. ERA is aware that a considerable amount of useful information and data has been, and is still being produced by persons who though not necessarily having received any formal scientific training, often dedicate much of their time to study one or more aspects of our environmental resources.

Bionotes of these honourees are being included.