Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1256426
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JUNE 2020 9 LISTINGS NATURE Every spring birds flying in from Africa on their way home to nest. One much-awaited bird at Ghadira nature reserve is the little ringed plover (M. monakella), a small shorebird hardly bigger than a sparrow. In 1995 this bird certified BirdLife's wet- land restoration at Għadira a success story, when a pair nested there and added a new species to Malta's breeding birds. Since then three or four pairs have returned every year and raised families in this small protected haven. Little ringed plover nests are simple affairs, with the eggs laid straight on a patch of shin- gle, usually on one of the tiny islands in the lagoon. But despite the frugality the plan works, as brood after brood yearly hatch (photo shows two chicks), grow and fly to Africa after their par- ents. Goes to show how much nature can reward us, if only given a chance and a little tlc. Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Joe Sultana 714. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 610 Find out more: www.foemalta.org/goodfood MAPFRE donates €5,000 to Malta Trust Foundation MAPFRE Malta has donat- ed €5,000 towards the Malta Trust Foundation, which runs, amongst others, the Food Aid Project aimed at helping out families in need. The Malta Trust Founda- tion was established in 2015 by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca during her Presidency. After having received several requests from people who had unfortunately lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pan- demic, the President Emeritus, as Chairperson of the Malta Trust Foundation, initiated the setting up of the Food Aid Pro- ject in order to help out fami- lies in need. Many of these have found themselves living without any form of income and unable to cope, all while having to pay their due rent or repay loans. In light of this, the number of applicants has increased signif- icantly, with over 2,000 fami- lies now receiving food every fortnight. In order to achieve its aims, The Trust enters into part- nerships with both local and international organisations, ensuring strong practices and effective responses to such so- cial realities. MAPFRE Middlesea CEO Fe- lipe Navarro said: "We recog- nise the fact that these uncer- tain times have created unique challenges for all of us. This pandemic is generating hard- ships for millions around the world, and stretching the re- sources of countries of all siz- es. However, we do see a silver lining in all this. "We see the emergence of a nationwide desire to be of service to the most vulnerable amongst us. We see an oppor- tunity for solidarity and giving something back to the local community." The CEO added that going forward, "MAPFRE would like to encourage oth- er business entities to support the Malta Trust Foundation in order to allow it to continue to provide disadvantaged families with a brighter future." Sarah Bondin, Director of the Malta Trust Foundation, said that the support of companies such as MAPFRE Malta is al- so making it possible for the Foundation to provide aid to NGOs that are struggling to support these vulnerable fami- lies, as well as taking referrals from the Foodbank Lifeline Foundation, which is unable to accept new cases for the time being.