100 trees for 100th anniversary of Scouting in Gozo

November 2016 marked the 100th anniversary of Scouting in Gozo and to celebrate landmark anniversary, the Victoria Scout Group and the Xagħra Scout Group held a number of activities.

On Saturday, 14 January, in collaboration with ecoGozo Regional Development Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo, the scouts group carried out a treeplanting activity at the area known as il-Qortin t’Isopu, Nadur; a recreational site which ecoGozo is working to convert into a family park. This activity was also connected to Arbor Day which in Malta is usually celebrated on 16January.

During the activity 100 trees were planted, one for each year of scouting in Gozo. The trees planted were indigenous species and included the Carob tree, Tamarisk and Aleppo pine. After planting the trees, the scouts were briefed about the ecological significance of the planted trees by Joseph Piscopo, a scientific officer from ecoGozo.

Trees are very important for our ecosystems, because apart from adding aesthetic value to the environment, they effect climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, store carbon in the trees and soil and release oxygen into the atmosphere.

During Arbor Day people are encouraged to plant trees and take care of them. The first Arbor Day in Gozo was held in 1929 and the trees which were planted are those found in St Francis Square in Victoria.

No doubt this activity will remain engraved in the memory of the young scouts who participated and will encourage our future generations to care more for the environment.