Landscape ecologist tasked with drafting afforestation outline plan

Environment Minister Leo Brincat has appointed Prof Louis Cassar to prepare a national outline plan on the potential for afforestation of Malta.

The outline plan must undertake a stock-take of existing situation of locations and efforts embarked upon related to afforestation of the Maltese Islands and identify the long term action to safeguard and manage existing sites, the potential for woodland creation and management in suitable locations.

“This outline plan should ensure that proposals are in line with the national biodiversity strategy, contribute to national action on climate change and provide new space for informal recreation that support an improvement in the quality of life for communities,” Brincat said.

The findings of this report will be examined by the Ministry for the Environment in a consultative manner and the proposals will then be forwarded for the Government’s consideration.

The report by Cassar will be submitted by mid-October.