Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/747633
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2016 16 News Ramblers, unite and take over! Tiny and populous as it is, Malta may not inspire images of empty pastures or sprawling green areas, but that in no way means there are no environmental gems to be enjoyed. The country's nature enthusiasts tell MARTINA BORG what there is to discover from their top picks for nature spots BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana "Malta, Gozo and Comino are full of beautiful natural spots to find ways of connecting with nature. However, be- cause we are so small and highly popu- lated, our natural environment is heavily impacted by us humans and our activi- ties, which gives nature reserves an even stronger importance for our islands. As a result my chosen location is one of these reserves – the Foresta 2000. Foresta 2000 is an area of natural habitat that has been restored as a Mediterranean woodland, which overlooks Ghadira Bay. The site stretches practically across the valley, offering not only diverse wildlife, but also fantastic views. The area is a mosaic comprised of steppe, woodland, garigue and maquis habitats, which provide shelter for birds, insects, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. This beautifully rich ecosystem has lots to of- fer visitors looking to immerse themselves into typically Mediterranean nature. Apart from its natural beauty, I like this place because it is a showcase of how soci- ety safeguarding nature can lead to places to enjoy. I remember this place becoming an arid landscape over the years. As a child I used to go up the hilly slopes while the Ghadira na- ture reserve was being created, and I'm happy to say that following proper management and a na- tionwide campaign and participation, the Maltese people created this beauty by funding and planting over 20,000 shrubs and trees. I'm also happy to point out that BirdLife Malta had initiated the project, which now has the PARKS directorate and Din L-Art Ħelwa as management partners in addition." Ramblers Association secretary Ingram Bondin "One of my favourite natural spots is the picturesque Bahrija valley and its pleasant surroundings. The valley is interesting mainly because it interlocks with garigue on one end and the coast on the other, comprising beauti- ful slopes that blend cultivated fields with stretches of maquis, and by extension a large number of shrubs. Interestingly, there is also a watercourse which hosts Malta's endemic crab, Il-Qabru, in the area. Deep inside the valley one can also find an inconspicuous farm practising an advanced form of sustainable agriculture called Per- maculture. I remember being very im- pressed by the practices adopted here, when I first saw them. I was particularly struck by the creative natural pest control methods adopted and the fact that nothing is ever wasted on this farm, being instead ingeniously ploughed back into the envi- ronment." Marine biologist Alan Deidun "My favourite nature spot on the islands would be the north coast of Gozo, particu- larly the stretch between Ras ir-Reqqa and San Dimitri chapel, since this is the clos- est to remoteness and the farthest away from built-up areas you can get on these islands, with Gharb being the closest built up area. The stretch regales the visitor with un- sullied countryside views and is fringed by towering cliffs, untamed seas and a coast- line pum- SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2016 Mark Sultana: Foresta 2000 site, Ghadira Alan Deidun: San Dimitri chapel, Gozo Ingram Bondin: Bahrija valley