Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/252940
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2014 40 THIS WEEK Willows are generally associated with rivers, so it's hardly surprising that Malta is no stronghold for these trees. We have two species – the White and the Mediterranean – and both are locally endangered. They are in fact protected, but our willows need more than protection if they are to recolonise the countryside. We've ruined their natural habitat, pumping dry all the wet valley oors that could have been a potential nursery for natural regeneration. The Mediterranean Willow (M: Safsafa Zghira) is somewhat less rare than the White Willow, with small stands at Gnien il-Kbir (near Buskett) and Wied il-Girgenti, but they won't spread to other valleys without assistance. Luckily willows are easy to propagate by cuttings, though a much healthier way would be saplings grown from seed. But there's the rub: unlike most trees, willows are dioecious, meaning they're either male trees or they're female trees. And the few trees we have left are all male. Tough! Text Victor Falzon Photo Desirée Falzon 389. MEDITERRANEAN WILLOW Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 291: TIME FOR A BREW – We all do it, but overfi lling your kettle is costing you money. Make it easy to save energy and water - fi ll your mug and pour in the kettle, or mark the kettle with a pen / sticker to show the level for 1 or 2 cups. Aichi Biodiversity Targets – Sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and forestry The aim of this target is that by 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity. The increasing demand for food, fibre and fuel will lead to increasing losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services if issues related to sustainable management are not addressed. On the other hand, sustainable management not only contributes to biodiversity conservation but can also deliver benefits to production systems in terms of services such as soil fertility, erosion control, enhanced pollination and reduced pest outbreaks, as well as contributing to the well- being and sustainable livelihoods of local communities engaged in the management of local natural resources. As part of its national obligations Malta targets that by 2020, areas under agriculture and aquaculture are managed sustainably, ensuring the conservation of biodiversity. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www. foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). Gzira gypsy invasion on the horizon FRINGE! Productions in association with the Malta Tourism Author- ity will be bringing over Macedonian gypsy brass band Gypsy Mambo for a performance at the Orpheum Theatre in Gzira on February 28. This exotic band, hailing from Ko- cani, Macedonia, are a traditional set-up of nine members bearing the unmistakable sound of Balkan brass bands typical of the area and first pre- sented to Western audiences through the films and music of Emir Kusturica and Goran Bregovic, among them be- ing Time of the Gypsies, Underground and Black Cat White Cat. The popu- larity and infectious music played by these brass bands has become a glo- bal trend due to its crowd appeal and high-energy music. This so called 'Roma Oriental' is a fierce mix of brass bands, Balkan rhythms and oriental solos which endows the music with raw virtuos- ity and boundless energy. Most bands would play at weddings and traditional feasts for days on end, sometimes play- ing 15-hour sets! Gypsy Mambo was formed over a decade ago, and all of its members come from well-known gypsy musical families with a long-standing tradition of Roma and Balkan music. The orchestra has participated in prominent European festivals includ- ing Khamoro in Prague and perform regularly in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia and Montenegro and their na- tive Macedonia. Gypsy Mambo have released two albums and are consid- ered masters in their style. Their rep- ertoire consists of traditional songs as well as the Bregovic classics and origi- nal tunes. Their trance inducing ar- rangements are unique, due to the mix of brass instruments and percussion. Their local appearance at in Malta will be a fancy-dress, theme dance- party based on Emir Kusturica's movie Underground. They will be supported by DJ Danjeli. The event is being organised by An- drew Alamango, Alba Cauchi, Branko Radojevic. Doors open at 20:00. Tick- ets are at €15. They can be bought at the door or by calling: 99 840896