Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517531
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MARCH 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 9010. Large White THANKS to our love affair with herbicides and insecticide, butter- fly numbers have plummeted in recent decades. A butterfly that to- day is considered 'common' is nothing compared with how it was, say, 50 years ago. One of the more familiar is the large (or cabbage) white. The large white (M. farfett tal-kaboċċi) is the one whose bris- tly yellow-green-black caterpillars we often see worming up a wall all fat and ready to pupate, or perhaps crawling hastily across our kitchen worktop away from that cabbage on the chopping board! It's true these caterpillars eat their share of some agricultural produce, but while pointing accusing fingers at the guilty munchers, do we ev- er stop to think about who pollinated those plants in the first place? It's butterflies and their friends, that's who! FoE Malta visited Maltese Farmers! Last weekend, Friends of the Earth Malta visited the Ta'Qali Farmer Market! We had wonderful conversations with local farmers, learning about their sustainable practices and dedication to producing fresh, healthy produce. As part of our commitment to supporting local agri- culture, we invited these farmers to join the Malta Farm Map network by distributing our newly published leaflets. With the Malta Farm Map, you can easily locate your nearest farmer and enjoy the goodness of lo- cally sourced fruits and vegetables. Our goal is to promote the growth of organic farming and empower communities to make sustainable food choices. Let's come together to support our local producers and nur- ture a healthier planet! Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti (photo) www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 784: Be apart of Malta Farm Map here: https://www.maltafarmmap.org/ Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this The Farsons Brewery Experience On March 18 to 20 Place: The Brewhouse Malta Experience the Farsons Brewery in an incredible new way and end with a beer tasting tray or a pint of freshly brewed Cisk lager at The Cisk Tap rooftop bar. Entry from 10:00AM to 17:15. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Claire Tonna at ZfinMalta National Dance Company On March 21 Place: ZfinMalta National Dance Company The 3rd appointment within the ZfinMalta Movimento series for the 23/24 season with our guest, Singer Songwriter Claire Tonna, who will be sharing song writing techniques that translate transformation beyond the artistic expression. A workshop and listening journey leading to the creation of words, songs, and dances we want to experience; to be and to become. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Robert Downey Jr has won his first acting Oscar in the best supporting acting category for his role in Oppenheimer. The star jokingly thanked his "terrible childhood" for the award which he won for the first time, following two previous nominations. Singer-songwriter Eric Carmen, known for hit song All By Myself, has died aged 74, his wife has announced. The US star rose to fame with the power pop group the Raspberries before establishing himself as a solo artist. Robert Downey Jr thanks 'terrible childhood' for first Oscar win Hungry Eyes, one of his huge solo hits, featured in 1987 cult movie classic Dirty Dancing.