Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545696
7 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 3 JULY 2026 OPINION Preserving and enhancing a greener Gozo: Turning commitments into change ENVIRONMENTAL ambition is often dismissed as an ab- stract ideal or a set of promises that rarely move beyond paper. Yet that perception begins to shift when ideas come to fru- ition and, eventually, reshape the landscapes they were meant to protect. Two such initiatives, the REGARD Project and the Għammar Hill project, current- ly monitored by the Programme Implementation Directorate (PID) within the Ministry for Gozo (MFG) offer a clear exam- ple of policy translated into ac- tion. These are not only environ- mental interventions, but signals of a broader commitment to bio- diversity, ecological restoration, and long-term planning in line with the Government's Vision 2050. These two projects stand out for three particular reasons. First, they deliberately com- bine science, infrastructure, and public engagement. Sec- ondly, they also underline the point that effective environ- mental policy is rarely about grand gestures alone; it is built on consistent and cumulative action. Finally, these projects demonstrate that environ- mental stewardship, when ap- proached thoughtfully, can be both practical and visionary. Take the REGARD Pro- ject—short for Habitat Res- toration and Gardens for Bi- odiversity Enhancement. At first glance, it may seem like another EU-funded initiative, but its significance lies in con- tinuity. Rather than starting from scratch, it builds on the groundwork laid by earlier In- terreg projects, SIMASEED and SIMASEED Plus. Those initiatives established the foun- dations: seedbanks, research, and early propagation of native flora across Malta, Gozo, and Sicily. REGARD is the next logical step; scaling up what has already proven effective. Specifically, this is a project about moving from preservation to restora- tion, from isolated efforts to coordinated and cross-border action. By strengthening infra- structure—new greenhouses, shade houses, irrigation sys- tems—and investing in places like the Dawwarra Nursery, the project is quietly expanding the region's capacity to care for its own ecological heritage. Equally important is the deci- sion to bring biodiversity clos- er to people. Plans for accessi- ble pathways and educational spaces, along with a demon- stration garden at the Ġgantija Temples Complex, suggest a recognition that conservation cannot remain confined to lab- oratories or protected zones. It must be seen, experienced, and understood by the public, if it is to endure. Then there is the second pro- ject at Għammar Hill, near Ta' Pinu. This project is less in- ternational project in scope, but no less significant. Here, the focus shifts from propa- gation to rehabilitation. An 8,000-square-metre site is be- ing reshaped to support native ecosystems, replacing invasive species with endemic flora which is better suited to the lo- cal environment. What makes this initiative in- teresting is the attention to de- tail. Soil is being re-engineered to overcome the limitations of clay substrate. Water systems are being carefully designed to ensure sustainability. Even the rebuilding of traditional rub- ble walls is treated not as an afterthought, but as an essen- tial element of both ecologi- cal function and cultural con- tinuity. This is not cosmetic landscaping. It is a recognition that environmental restoration must work with the land's nat- ural and historical context, not against it. What is encouraging about these two projects is the inte- gration of different priorities. Biodiversity conservation is not being treated in isolation but linked to education, cul- tural heritage, and even visitor experience. For instance, the proximity of the Għammar Hill project to Ta' Pinu Sanctuary, for example, reflects an under- standing that environmental quality and public spaces are deeply interconnected. Ultimately, projects like these do more than restore land- scapes—they begin to reshape mindsets. Rather than being treated as obligations tied to EU funding or regulatory compliance, they are framed as deliberate investments in Gozo's identity and long-term resilience. Gozo may be small, but through efforts such as the REGARD Project and the restoration of Għammar Hill, it is demonstrating how local action can carry meaning well beyond its shores. Mario Saliba, Programme Implementation Director Rather than being treated as obligations tied to EU funding or regulatory compliance, they are framed as deliberate investments in Gozo's identity and long-term resilience