Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1259447
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JUNE 2020 11 NATURE Of the four snake species that occur in the Maltese Islands, three very likely arrived – at various stages of human history – as accidental stowaways on merchant ships from mainland Europe or North Africa. The fourth, and most likely our only truly native snake, is the black whipsnake (M. serp iswed). If so, this would probably be the same animal that understandably nipped St Paul when he threw it on the fire, an incident that shot the poor animal to notoriety of biblical proportions. For all its bad press, however, the black whipsnake isn't venomous. Never was. Its prey are mostly mice and rats, which it kills by constriction. The black whipsnake is the most common and widespread of our snakes and the only snake that also occurs in Gozo and Kemmuna. Like all our other reptiles, the black whipsnake is protected. Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Joe Sultana 715. BLACK WHIPSNAKE 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 611 Find out more: www.foemalta.org/goodfood Architects' Chamber celebrates centenary THE Kamra tal-Periti celebrates a century of service to the pro- fession and to society. The foundations of the Kam- ra were laid amid the Sette Gi- ugno uprisings of 1919 when, despite the turmoil brought about by the riots and the end of the Spanish flu pandemic, the new Governor, Field Mar- shall Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer brought into force the Architects' Ordinance on July 25, 1919. Less than a year lat- er, on June 12, 1920, he enact- ed Government Notice 202, which established the Cham- ber of Architects, now known as the Kamra tal-Periti. As the sole recognised pro- fessional body representing architects and civil engineers in Malta, the Kamra's mission is to support members of the profession in achieving excel- lence in their practice of archi- tecture and engineering in the interest of the community. It is also delegated with the duty of enquiring into any charge of profes- sional misconduct or abuse made against any periti in connection with the exercise of their profession or with professional matters. Over the years, the Kamra tal-Periti has established itself as the voice of the profession, and has taken on the role of promoting val- ues of economic, social, cultural and environ- mental sustainability amongst its members, as well as promoting beauty in architecture and the built environ- ment. As it traces its roots over the past cen- tury, the Kamra tal-Periti is now looking towards a future which is founded on a key set of principles: Quality, design, community, progress, identity, innovation, culture, sustaina- bility. These are the elements that must shape our built en- vironment, forging the very es- sence of the spaces we inhabit in the present, and for genera- tions to come. The Kamra tal-Periti is celebrating a century of service to the profession and to society Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer Spazji Miftuha: A coalition of groups has been formed in response to a lobby's sustained pressure on the open spaces of l-Ahrax and Mizieb. Spazji Miftuha ("Open Spaces") is made up of NGOs and local groups dedicated to the preservation of public spaces in Malta, also tackling issues related to the conservation of ecological features, the management of such sites and transparency. Our petition has now over 16,000 signatures. Help us keep Malta's green spaces open for the enjoyment by the general public - sign the petition now and share it with your friends!