Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1498713
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 MAY 2023 NEWS Romeo Romano set to host hands-on educational centre JAMES DEBONO THE national waste agen- cy Wasteserv is planning to transform the Grand- master's gardener's house in Romeo Romano gar- den in Santa Venera, into an 'educational centre' run by Nature Trust, af- ter controversial plans for a commercial restaurant were dropped last year. Once the works are completed, the educa- tional centre will be run by environmental NGO Nature Trust, which will offer children a hands-on learning experience on environmental sustaina- bility. In December a first phase was completed which included the resto- ration on the walls, foun- tains and pathways, as well as the inclusion of a discreet playground. This phase also included the cleaning and restoration of the underground water reservoir, the 19th-centu- ry 'sienja' and the water channels along the path- ways. The second phase will include the restoration of the Grandmaster gar- dener's house so that it can house the Nature Trust educational centre, tagged as a €1 million in- vestment in educational activities for both chil- dren and adults on the importance of the natural environment, sustaina- bility and proper waste management. The multi-sensory learning experience will also include planting and tree trimming activ- ities, and include an au- tism-friendly area. The project will also include breakout rooms that can host workshops and meetings, and two multi-purpose halls to hold seminars and train- ing sessions. A weather station with remote access will be in- stalled at roof level where the data collected will be shown on a dashboard and used for education- al purposes. Information boards will explain how rainwater is collected and reused in the garden. Wasteserv said the res- ervoir stands as testimony of "the valuable practice of collecting and stor- ing rainwater has always been highly regarded in semi-arid Mediterranean climates such as Malta". The sienja, erected in the 19th century to draw water from this reservoir, consists of a belt made up of small buckets that are attached to an axle, which is then rotated by animal power such as mules and donkeys. Whilst the belt is turning, it collects wa- ter from the reservoir in small buckets, and fed through an irrigation sys- tem consisting of stone channels. These channels allow water to travel all around the garden to irri- gate the numerous citrus trees. Restored reservoir and sienja water pump will be used to create more awareness on water conservation, with educational experience focused on sustainability, tree planting and waste management The Romeo Romano Gardens in St Venera