The 'Grow 10 Trees 'Project (G10T)
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
The 'Grow 10 Trees' Project has been created to encourage citizens to get pro-active and grow and nurture local trees, bushes and plants at their own home from seeds provided by G10T. These saplings will eventually be used for afforestation projects within the Maltese Archipelago to combat the serious shortage of flora both within the urban context and also in the countryside. G10T uses its social media platform and other means to help increase awareness in favour of the environment.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
The ‘Grow 10 Trees’ Project (G10T) is a voluntary environmental group for proactive citizens willing to help make Malta greener. It was founded in May 2017 and has planted more than 3000 saplings over 38 events, organized several clean-ups, removed invasive species, shared 1000s of seeds and held a number of educational sessions. Our main objective is to provide the public with the necessary information to grow saplings at home to be used for our projects. We pride ourselves in collecting native seeds from our countryside and sharing them with individuals, schools, NGOs and workplaces. We have our own nursery where we nurture saplings to be planted in these events together with those brought by members.
G10T places an emphasis on education. For people to take an active interest, they need to have the necessary knowledge. We share this information through our Facebook group, the website, interaction with people at events and educational seminars. With the necessary information, citizens can better help their environment and understand which initiatives need a proactive stance on.
G10T was born out of the necessity of a new wave of environmental and climate awareness. This wave is one of active awareness whereby citizens are no longer satisfied by simply complaining. G10T is unique in this approach. We conduct our work based off the efforts of citizens where anyone can help. We rely on citizens to help find areas for afforestation and we organise tree planting events where trees grown by the members are planted.
Apart from this, G10T encourages sustainable methods. We encourage members to re-use milk cartons bundled in plastic crates which would otherwise be landfilled. We also make use of local sourced reeds in place of imported wooden staves to mark and stabilise trees.
G10T has always based its work on the principle of cooperation, bringing together several institutions for its success. Our members include people from all backgrounds, ages and nationalities.
Key objectives for sustainability
The project is as sustainable as it can possibly get in all its various aspects. The aim of the project is to help make Malta greener by planting trees and other local flora which will help combat climate change through absorption of greenhouse gases. Once mature, they will provide shade which will reduce temperatures while providing a home for native animals, birds, insects and pollinators, thus restoring natural habitats.
G10T encourages sustainable methods through a focus on re-use. Instead of using new plastic pots, we encourage members to re-use milk cartons bundled in unwanted plastic crates which would otherwise be landfilled. When plastic pots are needed, we utilise unwanted pots thus reducing demand for new goods. We also make use of local reeds in place of imported wooden staves to mark saplings. In our nursery we water saplings from harvested rain water thus reducing demand on tap water which is mainly derived through energy consuming R.O. plants.
We collect seeds from species of a local gene pool. These are more adapted for our harsh climate and tend to be more resilient to the effects of climate change. As a group we have also managed to increase the population of rare and threatened plant species. These include Iris foetidissima, Paliurus spina-christi, Anagyris foetida, Pistacia terebinthus and Asphodelus fistulosus among others.
Apart from tree planting events, G10T has carried out a number of clean-ups, collecting large quantities of rubbish as part of habitat restoration. We have also targeted a good number of invasive species in an effort to safeguard the natural environment.
From the educational perspective, both through the hands-on approach and through other formal or informal educational measures, including social media, we have increased environmental awareness among the general public. Once educated, active citizenship will have a cumulative ripple effect in environmental sustainability.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Coming to think of it, G10T is all about aesthetics and quality of experience, experience of participating within a movement with green intentions, or simply the relaxing experience of sowing seeds, repotting or planting in the ground.
In G10T’s case, aesthetics does not refer to the architectural, but the aesthetic effect of a green space in an urban setting; which Malta is severely lacking. This could be the greening of a playground, a traffic island along a road, a stretch of land in the countryside or a regenerated site. When planting, we avoid monoculture and straight lines, but do a healthy mix of trees, shrubs and plants in a haphazard manner to mimic a natural ecosystem rather than something manmade. The variation in smell and shape together with the varying shades as the seasons change, give an ever-changing scenario, providing an aesthetically pleasing experience.
With regards the participative public, whether they are at tree planting events, or an educational event, or helping out at the nursery, they always seem to end the sessions with a smile on their face, with an air of intense satisfaction. Although life is rather hectic and seems that no one has any free time, we do get several repeat visits to our events. This shows that what they are participating in is somehow giving them a sense of satisfaction and belonging. This provides a sensation that they are actually doing something to help the environment while feeling fulfilled.
One of the most rewarding experiences is when children see their seeds germinating for the first time. Their facial expressions and satisfaction are something which puts on a smile all around. This sense of elation is not just reserved to children but also to adults who never had the opportunity of growing anything from seeds. To be honest, after germinating 1000s of seeds myself, I still get this intense feeling of satisfaction and achievement with every successful seed.
Key objectives for inclusion
As mentioned already above, one of the main aims of G10T is to get people involved and participative in improving the environment around us. Whatever we do is centred on public participation and citizen engagement. In all our activities we have no restrictions as to who can attend. We are open to everyone, irrespective of race, colour or creed, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities. Anyone can attend to either physically help or else they can simply watch the event unfold, everyone helping out depending on their abilities.
Locally collected seeds are distributed among the general public, within schools and workplaces and other institutions for them to sow and grow at home, school or place of work. We encourage these members to use planting concepts that are very affordable to ensure that anyone can partake in. All material used, normally milk or juice cartons and plastic crates, can easily be obtained for free since they are actually re-using otherwise waste products to grow their saplings. Even when it comes to soil or compost, one can readily find this either for free or at relatively cheap prices.
Once saplings are grown, the public is invited to get their home grown saplings to participate in tree planting events we hold around the island. This gives the public a sense of ownership of the project and the opportunity to put to good use what they have managed to grow in their own homes. This gives them a sense of pride that they have actually participated in an event to help improve the environment.
To address the fact of inclusion further, the new nursery project we currently have in hand is being planned to suit the needs of people with special needs, with a heavy focus on accessibility.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
The ‘Grow 10 Trees’ Project seamlessly combines all these dimensions in its various tasks. Our educational sessions, be it webinars, school sessions, public events, or simply through our website or social media, are open to anyone irrespective of who they are or where they belong. In such sessions, we provide an experience where anyone can get to know what they can do to improve our environment, how they can be better citizens, learning about local flora and how they can participate from their own homes irrespective whether they have a garden or simply a small balcony. They acquire a sense of empowerment where they realise that with their limited space, they can still be part of a bigger movement, everyone within their own limitations.
Growing saplings in one’s home provides the elation of seeing a seed germinate, giving a unique feeling, one that you need to experience to understand. It is not an immediate response as happens on a mobile or computer, but one which you have to wait for, creating suspense for days or even weeks until seeds germinate. This can be experienced by anyone, there are no barriers as to who can take up this task. It is there for anyone who dares and seeds are easily available upon request.
This takes us to the next task, the tree planting events whereby the actual trees and plants lead to environmental sustainability by their own presence and leave a lasting positive effect on fauna habitat including small mammals, insects, pollinators and birds. The events are attended to by the general public, irrespective of their origin or capabilities. They join together in a serene environment, working together, giving them a unique opportunity and experience to create a natural ecosystem. Once developed this will improve the environment and aesthetics of the particular area.
