Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545759
A Greener Malta Starts at Home I magine this: vegetables and herbs growing on balconies, neighbours swapping produce they have just harvested, fruit trees lining village streets where people can pick up figs, mulberries, loquats and oranges on their way home, bees buzzing in community open spaces, and children excitedly spotting butterflies. Somehow it feels like a dream, nearly utopian. Yet this vision is not impossible. Not only because it already exists in part around the world, but more importantly because creating greener and more food-resilient communities does not only depend on massive government projects or expensive infrastructure. Sometimes, it requires small everyday changes that everyone can participate in: little rewilding projects or simply allowing natural space to exist as is. Malta often feels overcrowded and overdeveloped. The traditional limestone facades with colourful balconies are increasingly being replaced by grey, lifeless blocks of concrete. Open green spaces continue to disappear, and nature can sometimes feel distant. Yet, even within dense urban areas, small green areas are still possible. Sometimes, it is simply about thinking smaller. We do not necessarily need massive open fields; sometimes all it takes is a few pots on a balcony or windowsill. The Friends of the Earth Malta Community Garden This is what inspired Friends of the Earth Malta to create its community garden at the Julian Manduca Green Resource Centre in Floriana. What started off as an abandoned site has been transformed into a thriving green space. The project has taken years of work, experimenting, and community effort, but now the garden is home to both wild and cultivated flowers (including the tallest sunflower in Malta), reptiles, bats, birds and various insects, compost systems, and organic produce. It has become a haven for biodiversity in the middle of an urban area. The space has also shown that growing food also grows community. Around once a month, the garden is open to the public and people can come and try their hand at gardening, learn about sustainable living and share the harvest together. Moreover, the space is used for other events such as workshops, citizen science activities, training sessions and social activities organised by schools, community groups, and companies. The space offers something which is sadly increasingly rare: a space to connect to the nature around us and regain a sense of belonging. The garden highlights the importance of pollinators. When people think of pollinators they often think only of the Maltese honey bee. However, Malta is home to over 100 different species of wild bees. It does not stop at bees either. Local pollinators include wasps, flies, beetles, butterflies, moths, ants and more. Around 90% of wild flowers depend on these organisms to reproduce and complete their life cycle. Humans depend greatly on pollinators for food as almost 75% of crops that produce fruits and seeds require pollination. At Friends of the Earth Malta, people are also encouraged to make their own tiny spaces more wildlife-friendly. This helps compensate for the human impact that has created massive losses to biodiversity. Through initiatives such as the Wildlife Garden Manual, practical ideas are shared on how people can support biodiversity at home through pollinator-friendly plants, composting, water sources for wildlife, and more nature-friendly gardening practices. Even the smallest balcony or yard can help support urban biodiversity. Other small and easy actions that can be taken: Download the iNaturalist app and learn more about the wildlife in your area while documenting it and contributing to local records of biodiversity. A small project has even been created for the Community Garden. The free citizen science app is a way to observe nature and the different ecosystems, even in the most unexpected places. Avoid using insecticides and other pest control unless absolutely necessary. If needed, specialised advice should be sought to minimise impacts on beneficial species. Friends of the Earth Malta explores how small everyday actions, from balcony gardening to supporting local farmers, can help restore biodiversity, strengthen food systems, and reconnect communities with nature.