Theme for 2019: Caring For the Sea That Unites Us
I. II.
Plastic Free Seas Cigarette Butts Free Beaches
Plastic Free Seas
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
CIGARETTE BUTTS FREE BEACHES
Cigarette butts from the beaches in the South
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From Beaches in the North
2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
MTA’s ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES 2019
Enjoying a healthy environment can only be achieved through continuous education to young and old alike. People have to be reminded that we are our environment and its health is our health. The activities organised for this year not only covered the marine and coastal areas but also covered a wide spectrum of environmental issues including the climate, biodiversity, rural landscapes, night sky pollution, alternative energy and much more. They were all planned for people to enjoy themselves and have fun. However one could not ignore the global plight for the reduction of plastic, litter and cigarette-butt free environment. For this reason a number of awareness activities were held where participants were encouraged to collect litter that they encountered during clean-up campaigns. People can remember better through personal experiences. The message has been conveyed to young children, their parents, students and senior citizens alike, all of whom were grateful for the organisation and happy to offer a helping hand.
Pauline Dingli 1.10.2019
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
Contents MTA’s ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES 2019 .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Contents............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 ACTIVITIES FOR GHADIRA BAY........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.
BEACH CLEANING AND EDUCATIONAL EVENT ............................................................................................................................................... 6
2.
CAVE SYSTEMS OF THE ISLANDS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
3.
TURTLE RELEASE..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.
SALT PLATE CREATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
5.
VINEYARD TOUR ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
ACTIVITIES FOR GOLDEN BAY .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.
T SHIRT PAINTING AT THE MAJJISTRAL PARK VIITOR CENTRE......................................................................................................................... 11
2.
MARINE CLAY CREATIONS BY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ...................................................................................................................... 11
3.
ECOLOGY WALK ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
4.
WASTE SEPARTION ACTIVITY ............................................................................................................................................................................. 14
5.
FLORA SPECIES AT THE VISITOR CENTRE .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
6.
READING ON THE BEACH.................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
ACTIVITIES FOR QAWRA POINT BEACH .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 1.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM ....................................................................................................................... 17
2.
MARINE AWARENESS WITH ADULTS AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM ............................................................................................................ 18
3.
TURTLE RELEASE – THE RELEASE OF TURTLE THAT RECOVERED FROM INJURIES .......................................................................................... 19
4.
TRADITIONAL SALT PRODUCTION AND BIRD WATCHING AT THE SALINA ................................................................................................... 19
5.
WATCHING FLAMINGOES AND OTHER BIRDS AT THE MALTA BIRD PARK ................................................................................................... 20
ACTIVITIES FOR BUGIBBA PERCHED BEACH ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 1.
ST PAUL’S ISLANDS ECOLOGY WALK ............................................................................................................................................................... 21
2.
THE SHIPWRECK .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22
3.
UNDERSTANDING TUNA FARMING .................................................................................................................................................................. 22
4.
THE PETTING FARM ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 23
5.
HISTORY AND EXPLOITATION OF THE LIMESTONE SEDIMENTARY ROCK ..................................................................................................... 24
ACTIVITIES FOR ST GEORGES BAY ................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 1.
SEMINAR FOR THE BEACH CREW ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26
2.
ESPLORA SCIENCE CENTRE............................................................................................................................................................................... 27
3.
MARSASCALA CLEAN UP .................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
4.
RINELLA HARBOUR UNDERWATER CLEAN UP ................................................................................................................................................. 29
5.
LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS OF PREY AT THE FALCONRY ................................................................................................................................... 29
ACTIVITIES FOR FOND GHADIR ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 1.
T SHIRT PAINTING WITH PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ................................................................................................................................... 30
2.
LET’S CARE AND ACT......................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
3.
CIGARETTE BUTTS WITH PARENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 31
4.
FREE RURAL AREAS FROM PLASTICS ................................................................................................................................................................ 32
5.
SHARKS AT THE VISITOR CENTRE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 32
6.
CATACOMBS WALK ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
ACTIVITIES FOR GHADIRA BAY
1. BEACH CLEANING AND EDUCATIONAL EVENT 2. CAVE SYSTEMS – GEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK AROUND GOZO CAVERNS 3. TURTLE RELEASE – THE RELEASE OF TURTLES THAT RECOVERED FROM INJURIES 4. SALTPLATES – CREATING ART WITH COLOURED SALT 5. VINEYARDS TOUR – AND THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ---
1. BEACH CLEANING AND EDUCATIONAL EVENT
This activity was the first in a series of clean-up events held with different communities. Secondary school children had lectures in class regarding single use plastics. They were given homework to create bags to replace plastic bags during shopping. After the clean-up they were separated into groups and talked to people about the litter they collected, about cigarette butts and most of all about the reusable bags that they had produced.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
2. CAVE SYSTEMS OF THE ISLANDS
The Maltese Islands were formed under water through accumulation of sediments. During this process caverns were formed both in coastal areas and inland. This activity took us to different rock formations within such caverns where a few lie just under the crust of the top layer of the rocks while others are deeper and have the sea water passing through. One such cave overlooks a bay and shows that it has offered refuge to people during different eras that the Islands have passed through.
3. TURTLE RELEASE Releasing turtles is an activity that many would want to experience every summer. Seeing them go free after rehabilitation from an injury gives hope and stirs emotions. For this first release, schools were invited. They were divided into groups and ten lecturers gave talks on different environmental topics to rotating groups. It was a fun and a strong educational activity.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
4. SALT PLATE CREATIONS Ghadira Bay – Mellieha was named for the natural salt flat that lies in the hinterland of the bay and that is now a Nature Reserve. To remind of this natural resource and its sustainable production the children and parents were given a talk and also participated in a salt plate creation activity, Recycled containers and marine shapes were given to the children who selected the theme that
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
they tried to create. Although the finished artworks were temporary, all children were proud with their work and insisted on taking them home.
5.
VINEYARD TOUR
The climate is fundamental for successful agriculture and together with healthy soil and clean air the product can offer good wellbeing to the population. In this case it is the vineyards that depend completely on the sun, soil, air and good expertise.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
Malta is producing first class wines with the DOK certification. This is possible due to a number of persons who carried such craft through generations. Stretches of land have been assigned for the production of good quality grapes and the production of wine. Originally an airfield, Meridiana vineyards are now producing few of the best quality wines on the Islands, while the land remains sustainable for several years to come.
ACTIVITIES FOR GOLDEN BAY
1. T SHIRT PAINTING AT THE MAJJISTRAL PARK VIITOR CENTRE 2. MARINE CLAY CREATIONS BY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN 3. ECOLOGY WALK 4. GOLDEN BAY WASTE ACTIVITY 5. FLORA SPECIES AT THE VISITOR CENTRE 6. READING ON THE BEACH ---
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
1. T SHIRT PAINTING AT THE MAJJISTRAL PARK VIITOR CENTRE
Majjistral Nature and History Park’s visitor centre was this year selected to host a number of environmental activities with children. The first activity was a T shirt painting activity where the children were shown around the centre and could see sharks and crustacean’s remains, flora, fauna species and other environmental topics of Malta including Avifauna migrations. Following the activity the children were given tools to express their creativity in shapes that impressed them most, that morning.
2. MARINE CLAY CREATIONS BY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN Saving our seas was again the topic of this event. The school embarked on a campaign to make the children, their parent and their teachers more aware of the need to save our marine environment. Three sessions were organised with this school as a continuation to the lessons that they received. The group was given clay and few ideas how to create marine animals such as fish, turtles or a beach. These activities were held for three consecutive weeks with different classes of various ages.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
3.
ECOLOGY WALK
An ecology walk was organised for the general public following a long dry summer and a welcomed first winter rain. The rubble walls offer shelter to a variety of fauna which starts emerging after the rain. Wild flowers start budding in a greener environment. The autumn squill and daisies were most dominant during this walk and a gecko or cameleons were also encountered. The walk was four kilometres long and took us within a small forest, garrigue footpaths, archaeological remains as well as an isolated chapel dedicated to St Nicholas.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
4. WASTE SEPARTION ACTIVITY The Malta Tourism Authority invested heavily in waste separation on beaches. Bins were created in coloured compartments with stickers showing clearly what to dispose in each compartment. Coloured bin liners were also made to facilitate waste collection and disposal. All waste bags are weighed daily on every beach and data is collected for every fraction. But waste separation is an issue that has to be explained and repeated continuously with different age groups to be successful. For this activity a representative from Wasteserve Malta was invited to give first hand information on beach litter. Simon distributed information booklets and had bags of litter samples for participants to separate in different colour bags. After the explanation, the group went around the beach peeping in bins and commented on what they had encountered.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
5. FLORA SPECIES AT THE VISITOR CENTRE Flora of the Maltese Islands is a deck of cards that was created in various languages. For this activity, a deck of cards was given to every participant following a tour around the flora information panels at the visitor centre. Every card in the deck was explained and circulated around the children so that they could familiarise themselves with the photo. They were encouraged to open and discuss the flowers with their parents and go for a walk to search for them in their natural habitat. They were also made aware to keep to footpath networks to avoid trampling.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
6. READING ON THE BEACH
The Malta Tourism Authority encourages reading during idle hours. Environmental books in many languages have been distributed on beaches in the beach libraries. For this activity a number of volunteers gathered around families with children and read stories with them.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
ACTIVITIES FOR QAWRA POINT BEACH
1. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATION AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM 2. MARINE AWARENESS WITH ADULTS AT THE AQUARIUM 3. TURTLE RELEASE – THE RELEASE OF TURTLE THAT RECOVERED FROM INJURIES 4. TRADIRTIONAL SALT PRODUCTION AND BIRD WATCHING AT THE SALINA 5. WATCHING FLAMINGOES AND OTHER SPECIES AT THE MALTA BIRD PARK --1. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM Activities at Qawra Point Beach started with the World Environment Day (WED) event at the National Aquarium where a group of year four students came to learn about the alien species that entered into the Mediterranean Sea during the last decade. The activity commenced at their school where the students were divided in small groups and every group prepared a short, two-minute video on an environmental issue.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
After the Alien species talk, all videos were viewed and vetted. Prizes were awarded to each group member by His Excellency the President of Malta. After the activity, the students followed the President and the First Lady into the aquarium where a guide explained about the alien and native Mediterranean species that are present at the aquarium.
2. MARINE AWARENESS WITH ADULTS AT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM An important occasion for adults to get to see underwater marine life was through these Blue Flag activities. Some people never get the opportunity to admire live fish in a natural-like environment. Those who do not snorkel or dive or live miles away from the sea do not have such opportunities. During this activity, it was interesting to see the interest and amount of questions put to the guide. These included knowledge about their sleep, their food, their mating and reproduction as well as the interaction between species.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
3. TURTLE RELEASE – THE RELEASE OF TURTLE THAT RECOVERED FROM INJURIES
A second Turtle release was organised during summer and different classes were invited for this event. Participants were shown the trail that the turtle leaves behind and they were all encouraged to look for such signs whenever they were on sandy beaches and to report immediately to Nature should they encounter any of such trails, especially early in the morning. Young teachers were also unaware of these trails and took photos to show to other school children.
4. TRADITIONAL SALT PRODUCTION AND BIRD WATCHING AT THE SALINA Traditional sea salt production was one of the earliest cottage industries of the Maltese Islands. The salt producer would fill the hollows in the rocks with sea water and once the water has evaporated salt crystals would be left behind. Salt was collected for the preservation of food and curing of fish when refrigeration was still unknown. During this activity at Salina the participants could see the salt production process in the visitor centre. Salina is also popular with migrating
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
birds and everyone could admire the different birds that were resting around the salt pans. Salina employees are committed to collect plastic from the nearby coast.
5. WATCHING FLAMINGOES AND OTHER BIRDS AT THE MALTA BIRD PARK A bird park on the opposite side of the Salina hosts a large variety of avifauna including ibis, owls, parrots, vultures, cranes, storks, swans and most of all Flamingos. The guide explained about environmental features that effect their migrations, their food cycle, habitats and nesting seasons. Participants enjoyed feeding and watching them in their peaceful ambient. Since this was the first time that many of them interacted with flamingos, many kept asking questions about their colour their food and the way that they drank.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
Sign installed at Qawra Point Beach acess
ACTIVITIES FOR BUGIBBA PERCHED BEACH
1. ST PAUL’S ISLANDS ECOLOGY WALK 2. THE SHIPWRECK 3. UNDERSTANDING TUNA FARMING 4. PETTING FARM 5. HISTORY AND EXPLOITATION OF THE LIMESTONE SEDIMENTARY ROCK --1. ST PAUL’S ISLANDS ECOLOGY WALK
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
St Paul’s Islands is effectively one island submerged in the middle and has always been referred to in the plural. Since it is accessible only by boat trampling is limited and the garrigue flora can flourish. It is rich in biodiversity and a nesting place for the seagulls. Several nests were encountered and participants were guided to keep away from them as they could host chicks. In fact other environmentalists were seen feeding them during the walk. They explained that they are keeping detailed data of the nesting cycles. 2. THE SHIPWRECK The shipwreck is an audio visual show on a very large screen. It gives detail of the shipwreck of St Paul on the Islands of Malta as explained in the Bible by St Luke. During this activity we did not see the calm marine species but the power of the waves and the wind under a grey rainy sky. How fragile we can be against the supremacy of the climatic elements.
3. UNDERSTANDING TUNA FARMING
Malta has been engaged in Aquaculture for a number of years and the industry has grown substantially and not without problems. But the tuna is a very graceful fish and a sheer pleasure to watch and to experience swimming with them in the Mediterranean Sea. This snorkelling activity has attracted a number of participants who wanted to share this experience. The carer gave information of the cycle of tuna, their feed, natural habitat and fertilisation. This year the water was exceptionally clear and all participants were amazed with the feel of swimming with this graceful species.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
4. THE PETTING FARM Daily life on a farm is getting to be very scarce for many children. They are not familiar with animals other than the usual domestic pets. For this reason a group of children were taken to a Petting farm where they could see and touch goats, sheep, rabbits, a lama, a donkey, and horses and also enjoy watching fish in the ponds. They interacted with the friendly animals and gave them food provided by the farm.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
5. HISTORY AND EXPLOITATION OF THE LIMESTONE SEDIMENTARY ROCK
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
As discussed earlier the Maltese Islands have formed underwater with sediment and consequently the rocks of the Islands are sedimentary rocks with various strata. One stratum is Globigerina Limestone which formed through layers of micro plankton. It has been exploited for building since pre-history and even more since Roman Times, some 2000 years ago. At the limestone Heritage one can see the development of this important natural mineral and its use for the benefit of humanity. During this activity, sea level rise and its effect on coastal towns was also considered.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
ACTIVITIES FOR ST GEORGES BAY
1. SEMINAR FOR BEACH CREW 2. ESPLORA SCIENCE CENTRE 3. RINELLA HARBOUR UNDERWATER CLEAN-UP 4. MARSASCALA CLEAN-UP 5. BIRDS OF PREY AT THE FALCONRY --1. SEMINAR FOR THE BEACH CREW
An informal training seminar was organised for the beach staff. Topics discussed included the Blue Flag criteria and Award, safety issues, bathing water quality, environmental education and environmental processes of different pocket beaches of the Maltese Islands. Waste separation and butts off campaigns were also highlighted. A beach audit was also explained to complement the beach code of conduct. Beach uniforms and Identification tags were distributed afterwards.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
2. ESPLORA SCIENCE CENTRE
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
The Esplora science centre has three floors of experiments ranging from Earth Sciences, lights and alternative energy, air and bubbles, a planetarium for environmental documentaries and various mirror shapes and formats. The latter attracted the group for an original four-person photo. The group enjoyed interesting experiments and competed for the best results.
3. MARSASCALA CLEAN UP
The Malta Tourism Authority is giving additional importance to the South of Malta that, for a number of years was a bit neglected. New beaches are being created and new facilities are being introduced. Naturally, a beach clean-up after several years was must. The local council helped in this initiative and an organised campaign was launched. This resulted in a beach that is now being frequented by many families.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
4. RINELLA HARBOUR UNDERWATER CLEAN UP Most clean-up activities are concentrated on beaches and for a change this underwater cleanup was organised in a harbour where the water is getting clearer and the junk that was dumped years ago was getting visible. A floating tug was prepared to hold the rubbish and divers were amazed at what they could collect.
5. LEARNING ABOUT BIRDS OF PREY AT THE FALCONRY At the Malta Falconry one could learn about all types of birds but those living on the premises are only birds of prey and they include vultures, eagles, owls and falcons. Interpretations signs include beetles, small birds, lizards and many other. The participants could see the birds flying high and returning on the owner’s arm to feed. Holding them on one’s arm was an experience, they are so soft and it seemed that they could understand and communicate. The children loved to see the cute, newly borns cuddled under their parents’ wings.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
ACTIVITIES FOR FOND GHADIR
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
T SHIRT PAINTING WITH PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS LETS CARE AND ACT CIGARETTE BUTTS WITH PARENTS FREE RURAL AREAS FROM PLASTICS SHARKS AT THE VISITOR CENTRE CATACOMBS WALK
---
1. T SHIRT PAINTING WITH PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
People with special needs are always included in the programme for Blue Flag Environmental activities and this year Autistic people were selected for this activity. Since a good number of Learning Assistants (LA) were present, they were shown the Blue Flag first and an explanation of the award and its contribution to the environment. Then marine moulds were distributed and the clients tried to guess what animal it was. Finally, assisted by the LA’s, they tried painting a favourite animal on their T shirt to take home. (photography was not encouraged)
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
2. LET’S CARE AND ACT On the 11th of June 2019, during a clean-up at Rinella Bay, the Malta Tourism Authority, as part of the Blue Flag programme, donated several cigarette butt holders to be distributed to every family with children in Senglea. Parents took these containers to the beach so that cigarette butts encountered could be placed in them and then disposed of appropriately. 4.5 trillion Cigarettes are littered Worldwide, each year. They leach toxic chemicals- such as lead and arsenic (used to kill rats) and leak into the environment and contaminate water and fish. It may turn up in our plate sooner than we know. A Clean-up by adults was also organised.
3. CIGARETTE BUTTS WITH PARENTS For these two activities both parents and teachers with children were involved in the cigarette butt campaign. The parents took to the streets while the children and teachers went on the beach. The parents also decided to make it a general clean-up with separated waste.
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
4. FREE RURAL AREAS FROM PLASTICS During the dry summers in Malta most shrubs shrink and the grass dries and disappears. Unfortunately roadside litter is exposed in this process is a real eye-sore. A clean-up activity was organised in a rural area to elevate the problem. A team of 15 people including children, gathered to make the difference. All litter collected was separated and the local council sent its contractors to clear the different bags filled. The road became a pleasant site with Verdala Castle as its backdrop.
5. SHARKS AT THE VISITOR CENTRE
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
6. CATACOMBS WALK A country walk starting from Burmarrad water stream and visiting Tal-Qadi Temple, cart ruts, catacombs and St. Michael and Our Lady’s Chapels, was attended by a group of senior citizens who were interested in culture and the environment. Several grandparents are taking a significant role with their grand children and the importance of the sustainability of the Blue Flag Award was disseminated. They were encouraged to convey the message.
oi
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
Caring for the sea that unites us
Blue Flag Roll–up used during the activities
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli
THE END
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2019 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR BLUE FLAG Pauline Dingli