Ambjent Malta embarked on a project to green and
provider a better environment in Maltese Schools. An agreement was signed with
the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools to implement greening and green
infrastructure projects in state-owned school buildings. In 2021 the following
projects were implemented:
St Theresa College Imrieħel Secondary School
Invasive alien plant species, including Pittosporum
tobira, Opuntia ficus-indica, and 7, as well as stunted or
dead plants were cut and uprooted from various soft areas. Erroneous waste
material was also cleared from all soft areas.
976 trees and shrubs were planted in an effort to
embellish soft areas, consisting of 576 Ruscus aculeatus, 300 Eugenia
uniflora, 25 Myrtus communis, 25 Viburnum tinus, 25 Laurus
nobilis and 25 Metrosideros excelsa.
Prior to planting the central courtyard area, large
orange and lemon trees, as well as a single palm tree, were pruned to improve
light penetration and air flow, whilst improving tree structure and health. Additionally,
the soil was lightly tilled after which large volumes of compost were added to
improve the texture and quality of the soil.
Within the aforementioned courtyard area, Ruscus
aculeatus were planted along the elevated footpath periphery, reserving
space for Laurus nobilis around the highest positioned section of the
path, identified by the presence of a stone bench. Myrtus communis and Viburnum
tinus served as filler plants to create a dense planting.
Within an outdoor soft area containing three large Casuarina
equisetifolia, a hedgerow consisting of Eugenia uniflora was
installed, with Metrosideros excelsa serving as filler plants.
St Thomas More College Marsaxlokk
Primary School
Invasive alien plant species, including Arundo
donax, Leucaena leucocephala, Yucca gloriosa, Agave spp.,
and Ficus macrophylla, as well as stunted or dead plants were cut and
uprooted from various soft areas. Erroneous waste material was also cleared
from all soft areas.
756 trees and shrubs were planted in an effort to
embellish soft areas, consisting of 3 Laurus nobilis, 20 Viburnum
tinus, 20 Myrtus communis, 10 Citrus sp., 20 Olea europaea
var. europaea, 3 Ceratonia siliqua, 10 Vitex agnus-casus, 10 Cercis
siliquastrum, 10 Populus alba, 100 Rosmarinus officinalis,
100 Lavandula angustifolia, 50 Plumbago auriculata, 100 Teucrium
fruticans, 200 Russelia equisetiformis, 50 Metrosideros excelsa and
50 Cupressus sempervirens.
Olive trees located along the high boundary wall of
the back of the premises were pruned, to improve light penetration and air
flow, whilst improving tree structure and health.
An aesthetically pleasing, and thematically
appropriate design was developed for the soft area surrounding the small statue
of the Virgin Mary. Said design consisted of a hedgerow of Russelia
equisetiformis, and Viburnum tinus, with creeping Plumbago auriculata
planted on either side of the statue. Metrosideros excelsa, Myrtus
communis and Viburnum tinus served as filler plants to create a
dense planting.
Once stunted, dying or dead plants from planters along
the periphery of the site, large Cupressus sempervirens were planted,
followed by an understory of flowering shrubs incl. Myrtus communis and Viburnum
tinus.
Within a large vacant soft area, Citrus sp., Olea
europaea var. europaea, and Ceratonia siliqua, were planted in
clusters to fill out the space with large trees which offer both shade and
edible fruit. A row of large Populus alba were planted to replace
stunted Nerium oleander.
Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, and Teucrium
fruticans were utilised to create, fill or replace existing stunted
hedgerows.
A neat border/hedgerow was installed in the planter
near the entrance gate, consisting of Vitex agnus-castus and Cercis
siliquastrum.
St Thomas More College Zejtun Primary A
& B
Stunted, dying or dead plants were removed from
planters across the site. Ruscus aculeatus were planted along the
elevated footpath periphery, to create, and fill existing stunted hedgerows.