Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1189466
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 DECEMBER 2019 CULTURE FOLLOWING the success- ful event of MAPFRE's Global Volunteering Day held in Oc- tober, the company continued to strengthen its commitment towards environmental sus- tainability by teaming up with BirdLife Malta in order to aid restoration of sand dune habitats. Josianne Briffa, Chief Compliance Officer of MAP- FRE MSV Life, organised this event in collaboration with BirdLife Malta. Established since 1965, Bird- Life Malta is an environmen- tal organisation that has long been committed to the pro- tection of wild birds and their habitats. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), BirdLife Malta also forms part of the BirdLife International net- work, whose ongoing objec- tives are to work towards the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainability of natu- ral resources. Currently, BirdLife Malta are responsible for manag- ing four nature reserves, run- ning a series of environmental education programmes, and managing several EU LIFE- funded research projects on Malta's seabirds. The NGO are continuously working to limit illegal hunting across the Maltese Islands as well enhancing the overall protec- tion for the environment. In November, MAPFRE teamed up with BirdLife Mal- ta in an event that focused on the restoration of sand dune habitats. In the past, a nature reserve in Mellieha was pre- viously planted with Acacia trees, a nonindigenous and invasive tree species. In light of this, BirdLife Malta has been working hard towards the removal of these invasive trees over the years. Since the Acacia trees have been pre- sent at the nature reserve for a number of years, this result- ed in the production of a lot of leaf litter. Whilst leaf litter is normally somewhat benefi- cial to the soil, in this case the substrate is sand, which needs to be exposed and cleaned up for proper regeneration. MAPFRE volunteers helped in the process of gathering this leaf litter and sieving the sand. The work carried out at the nature reserve was tough but also rewarding. Going for- ward, MAPFRE Malta will continue to engage in activi- ties that promote environ- mental sustainability and the restoration of natural habi- tats. MAPFRE teams up with BirdLife Malta for habitat restoration ON Thursday 12 December 2019, the St Paul Metropolitan Orchestra, (formerly St Paul Chamber Ensemble) along with its soloists and the Anacrusis Concert Choir, will be performing its annual Christmas recital at the St Augustine's Church, Valletta at 7.30 pm, followed by dinner in the Refectory. All proceeds will be in aid of the restoration of the Old Chapel. Under the professional baton of Chev Mro Mark Agius, the sixty seasoned and upcoming young musicians will be accompanying Karen Gatt Darmenia, Frances Catherine Farrugia and Anita Vella Bondin (Sopranos), Joseph Aq- uilina and Mark Edward (Tenors) and James Vella Bondin (Bass) featuring a sing-along celebration of seasonal fa- vourites in which the audience will be encouraged to participate. Before the concert, at 6.30 pm, there will be a tour of the Convent Museum and Shelter. Patrons are also invited to an after-concert dinner in the Con- vent refectory. Tickets may be booked from the Parish Office on 79286785 / 99474744, from the Orchestra Man- agement on 79950507 or online at: bit. ly/joytotheworldspmo Last month, the St Paul Metropoli- tan Orchestra rendered an impeccable performance of Mro Joseph Sammut's Requiem et Resurrectio e Vita where- by all the proceeds from the perfor- mance were donated to Id-Dar tal- Providenza. Joy to the World