Birdlife Malta launches environmental education project

This morning saw the launch of a new initiative to develop environmental education in Malta entitled ‘Lifelong Learning through Nature’.

Funded with support from the European Commission, this project will bring together expertise from European Partners including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, BirdWatch Ireland, and the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds.

Running for three years from September 2014 until August 2017, this project will receive a total of €253,700. This funding will be used to develop new environmental education resources and initiatives both here in Malta and in the partner European countries.

The education work of BirdLife Malta has always received support from the Ministry for Education and Employment, and now this partnership has taken a great step forwards to lead the development of this new project.

Addressing the crowd at the launch event, held at Għadira Nature Reserve, Minister Evarist Bartolo said “I was brought up close to Għadira Reserve and was lucky enough to enjoy many experiences in nature growing up. These days there are fewer opportunities to have these same experiences, but they are vitally important for the next generation growing up to know and understand the world around us.”

The launch event was held at Għadira nature reserve to highlight the importance of learning outside the classroom for students of all ages. A group from Newark School participated in the event, taking part in nature based activities led by the international partners.

Suzanne Welch, Education Manager for the RSPB, has many years experience in researching the positive effects of outdoor learning and spoke out about the benefits this new initiative will bring. Welch said, “Learning outside the classroom can improve educational attainment, health and wellbeing for the young people involved.”

At the event Hon. Minister Bartolo welcomed the international partners to Malta and thanked them for the input they will contribute over the coming three years. BirdLife Malta’s Executive Director Steve Micklewright explained the project in more detail saying “during the lifetime of the project new initiatives will be developed to allow young people more opportunities to learn about the world around them”.

Micklewright went on to highlight how Malta will be used as a model of best practise saying, “following successful implementation of the proposals here in Malta the ideas and resources will then be adapted for use in the European partner countries. Malta will lead the way for environmental education”.

BirdLife Malta would like to thank the Ministry of Education and Employment, the European Commission, and all of the international partners for their support in developing this new initiative.