Ambassador profile

 

  Name: Annalise Falzon / Vincent Attard
  Function: Conservation Officer - Nature Trust (Malta) / Executive President
  Country: Malta
  E-mail:
ntsec(at)naturetrustmalta(dot)org
info(at)naturetrustmalta(dot)org
  Tel: +35 62131 3150
     
     
 

Organisation profile

 
  Organisation: Nature Trust (Malta)
  www: www.naturetrustmalta.org
  E-mail: info(at)naturetrustmalta(dot)org
  Tel: +35 62131 3150
  Established: 1962
  Category: NGO
  Number of staff: 7 Full time and 4 part time
Site profile
  Site name: Dwejra Heritage Park (Dwejra/Qawra)  
  Location: Gozo, Malta  
  Land area: 0,8 ha  
  Nearest urban settlement: San Lawrenz  
  Natura 2000 ID:

MT0000019

  
  www:

www.dwejra.org

 
  Annual visitor count: 260,000  
  Majority of visitors from: UK, Germany, France and Italy  
  Site description:

Dwejra is located on the Western coast of the island of Gozo. It is characterized by a range of landscapes most dominant of which are the sheer limestone cliffs and a series of large subsidence structures as well as numerous coastal features of erosion, dry river valleys and a small inland body of seawater. A candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dwejra is a protected area both on a local and international level as part of the EU’s Natura 2000 network and is the largest contiguous protected land and sea area in Malta. Its uniqueness lies in its complex of features of geological, geomorphological, ecological, archaeological, historical and aesthetic interest which attracts thousands of visitors every year for diving and as part of organized tours.

Human activities on the site: Tourism, recreation, fishing, diving, quarrying, hunting/trapping , some agriculture.

 
All species
  Species code Latin name Common / local name
       
  4079 Cremnophyton lanfrancoi Maltese Cliff Orache
  4083 Helichrysum melitense Maltese Everlasting
       
Priority habitats (* indicates priority habitats)
  Habitat code Common / local name
     
  1120 * Posidonia beds (Il-Port)
  1150 * Coastal lagoons (Qawra)
  3170 * Mediterranean Temporary Ponds
     
Stakeholder profile        
     
  Stakeholder activity in the management planning process:
     
  Stakeholder group activity level
  hi ←        → nil
  Local Government        
  Central Government        
  Scientists        
  Private landowners        
  Green NGOs        
  Private sector        
  Private individuals        
  Farmers        
  Anglers        
  Hunters        
  Recreational groups        
           
Stakeholder success stories
   
 

Activities carried out on the site

Many residents of the local community joined in on a Clean-up event and collected two truckloads of rubbish. The problem of illegal tipping seems to have started to decrease since then. Another cleanup was organized underwater with the diving community as the area is one of the best diving sites renowned for its numerous diving possibilities and the unqiue underwater landscape and clear waters.

Several activities were also held with members of the general public to promote the importance of this Dark Sky Heritage Area through a night sky observation session organized with the local astronomical society as well as on site experience of the returning seabirds which nest in the nearby cliffs - the Cory’s Shearwaters which come in on moonless nights in summer to feed their young.
   
 

Dwejra Heritage park promotion

The promotion of the Dwejra Heritage park has been especially successful in terms of the strengthened collaboration with the public in connection with reporting of illegal activities. This is especially so within the fishing community as they are keen on the Marine Protected Area in order to curb the abuse of marine resources.
   
 

Environmental education and eco-tourism

One of the main aims of site is to promote environmental education especially as the area offers a lot to learn for students of various ages. An educational pack was prepared for younger students, whilst interpretation panels, publications and a DVD are made use of by visitors to the park. Several local and foreign students have been guided around the area in order to increase awareness of the site’s importance whilst also gaining a deeper insight into the intrinsic beauty of the area.

Another important aspect is eco-tourism - all local tour operators were informed on guided walks in the area and of the new possibility of visiting the historic tower which also hosts the audiovisual and interpretative material. Tourists joining on the nature walks are given a chance to learn more about Maltese natural and historical heritage whilst also enjoying an energizing walk in the fresh air with stunning views.
   
Photo credit: Annalise Falzon
Communication profile
 

Activities and products for the communication of Natura 2000

 
  Events
 
 
✓Leaflet
✓Other: Educational visits
✓Other: Publication
✓Other: DVD

 
  Event frequency
 
 
✓At least once per week

 
  Use of seasonal workers / volunteers
 
 
✓Yes

 
  Kind of work / volunteering opportunities
 
 
  • Helping at the Visitors centre
  • Conducting surveys on visitors opinion
  • Keeping a eye on activities

 
  Communication literature produced
 
 
✓Leaflets

 
  Communication target groups
 
 
✓General public
✓Scientists
✓Stakeholders
✓Other site managers
✓Local community
✓Site visitors

 
  The organisation has a dedicated communication strategy for Natura 2000
 
 
✓No

 
  Description of communication strategy
 
 

Since we have limited human resources we do not have dedicated staff. We assign when need arises. We work close with WWF on such issues as a network on Natura 2000 EU member states issues.

  • Layman publications,
  • Website,
  • Info campaigns in media

 
  The communication materials are produced
 
 
✓At the central office

 
  Site involved in joint working / networking
 
 
✓Yes

 
  Details of joint working / networking activity
 
 
We work closely with WWF through a network of NGOs in the EU member states on common Natura 2000 issues.

 
   
Site management profile
"Nature conservation through full community involvement"
   
  Key site management issues:
 

 

  • Visitors flow management
  • Nature and Coast management and conservation
  • Marine protected area management
  • Eco tourism
  • Traffic flow management

 
  Integration of Natura 2000 in overall site management:
 

 

It is being given legal protection and support from central government for the necessary conservation measures. The site has a lot of stakeholders and the project is bringing stakeholders together.

 
  Key site management objectives:
 

 

Site conservation which will aid getting all stakeholders to work together since there were a lot of conflicts between the same.

 
  Stakeholders targeted as part of management action:
 

 

  • Community
  • Boat house owners
  • Boat ride operators
  • Diving clubs
  • Tourist operators
  • Fishermen
  • Scouts
  • Church authorities
  • Farmers
  • NGOs (heritage and environmental)
  • Hawkers
  • Land owners
  • Quarry owners
  • Hunters and trappers
  Description of work carried out / methods and methodology:
 

 

  • Consultation meetings
  • Information sessions
  • Meeting stakeholders separately to find out problem areas and inter stakeholder conflicts and then get stakeholders together to try and resolve areas of conflict.
  Results of action and activities:
 

 

  • Solved conflicts that had been present for years
  • Got stakeholders to understand that the main problems were inter conflicts
  • Got stakeholders to own the project
  • Gained trust of all on site
  • Stakeholder involvement and awareness
  • Better management on site and considered decisions.
  Indication of budget allocation for these tasks:
 

 

Euros 310,000

 
   
Financial overview
   
  Organisational budget for nature conservation (annual):
 

 

Depending on grants and sponsors

 
  Budget reserved for communication:
 

 

30% of the entire NGO Budget

 
  European funding:
 

 

Life (Project completed) and Cohesion Funds through EEA/Norwegian Grant

 
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Dwejra Heritage Park: MT