Recent activities

 

EIA and SEA: past, present and future

 

The IES organised this two-day seminar on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) between the 8th and 9th April 2008 at the Coastline Hotel.

 

The seminar was conducted by Professor Brian D. Clark (University of Aberdeen) who is an expert on environmental assessment with thirty-two years experience in urban and regional planning and environmental management in the UK, Europe and overseas.

 

The seminar was designed to inform participants of the role of the SEA process in ensuring sustainability of strategic decisions, leading to more effective EIA at project level. The seminar was well attended by planners, policy and decision-makers, environmental consultants and professionals from both the public and private sector who specialise in environmental assessment, planning and management.

 

         

             Photo showing participants and lecturer during

                             the EIA/SEA seminar

 

 

Siġar Indiġeni Maltin

The IES held this short evening course between the 11th and 13th February 2008.  However, due to the high demand for this course, it was repeated between the 18th and 20th February 2008. 

This course, which was held in the Maltese language, attracted a wide audience from various sectors.  These included governmental organisations, among which were local councils, environmental officers from the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA), and officers and gardeners from the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment (MRAE).  The course was also attended by members from non-governmental organisations, including various NGO's, gardeners, private entities and individuals from the general public.

        

 

 

EIA Review Training Seminar

 

The IES and Sherwood Sustainability & Environmental Associates organised a one day seminar titled: ‘Environmental Impact Assessment, Review Training’.  The seminar was held on 7th of November 2007 at the Coastline Hotel and was repeated the following day on 8th of November 2007.

 

    

 

The seminar was delivered by Mr. Karl Fuller, who is Director of Sherwood Sustainability & Environment Associates. 

The seminar focused on providing delegates with the skills to Review Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) including: understanding EIA documents, using best practice in writing and reviewing EIAs, and determining significant issues.

The training seminar was well attended by Environmental Officers from the various sections of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), including the Nature Protection Unit (NPU), the Pollution Prevention and Control Unit (PPCU), the Waste Management Team (RMU); advisory boards, including the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee (NHAC); professionals from various private companies that specialise in planning and environment impact assessment; and environmental experts.

 

 

 

 

Photo taken during the opening session showing Mr Karl Fuller (left), Director of Sherwood Sustainability & Environment Associates, and Mr Alfred E Baldacchino (right), Project Director (CEPA) of the IES.

 

 

 

Training seminar for beach workers

 

As part of the Malta Tourism Authority’s (MTA) programme to designate two local bays as ‘Blue Flag’ beaches, the Institute for Environmental Studies organised a half day seminar for beach staff.  The two beaches that are currently being considered for designation as blue flag beaches are the replenished beach at St. George's Bay in St. Julians and the Perched beach in Bugibba. 

 

The seminar, which was specifically designed for the MTA’s beach staff, aimed to provide the workers with knowledge of the blue flag system, the necessary criteria to obtain a blue flag, the  St. George's Bay and Bugibba artificial beach projects,  management of  beaches, as well as aspects of marine life and habitats.

                

Apart from the IES, Nature Trust Malta and ADI Associates Environmental Consultants also contributed lectures to the seminar.  Participants who attended the seminar included Beach Cleaners, Life Guards, Beach Supervisors, the Beach Manager, and other senior staff from the MTA.  Participants were given a certificate of attendance.

 

 

Eco Diving Launch

 

The IES launched a new concept - Eco Diving - on 3rd August 2007 at the Coastline Hotel. Diving schools, diving clubs, and organisations having an interest in diving were invited.  A few days after its launch, the Institute for Environmental Studies held two taster dives for interested individuals.  These were well received by all the participants.

 

Eco Diving is one of a number of educational activities that the IES is offering.  Should you wish to participate in an Eco Dive, kindly contact us.

 

          

                     Images from the Eco Diving Launch Activity

                    3rd August 2007 at the Coastline Hotel

 

Basic Marine Biology I

The IES recently organised evening courses titled: 'Basic Marine Biology I' in May and September 2007. The courses, which included lectures, together with field and laboratory sessions, were well attended by a mixed audience that included snorkelers, SCUBA divers and staff of Governmental organisations.  Some of the SCUBA divers included diving instructors of local Dive Schools and members of Dive Clubs.

The course content can be downloaded and viewed:

Course content
 

Due to the encouraging response and the high interest shown in this course, the IES will be offering it again next year. Should you wish to register for this course, kindly contact us for further details.

 

Images from the Basic Marine Biology I Course

 

 

       Participants attending lectures

                 

 

   

 Participants attending the field session

 

 

   

               Participants attending the laboratory session

 

 

 

Participants attending the group discussion

 

        

Dwejra Tower (Dwejra Heritage Park, Gozo)

Education Panels

 

The education panels at Dwejra Tower depict marine life and habitats of the Marine Protected Area (MPA).  The scientific data for these panels was provided, designed and sponsored by the IES.

 

The panels depict:  i) marine benthic habitats and geomorpholoigcal features, ii) examples of benthic, pelagic and demersal fauna which can be observed at the Marine Protected Area, and iii) marine life adapted to obscure habitats, such as caves and overhang found in the MPA.

                       

              

           Close up of some of the data shown on the panels

 

 

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News and Notices

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Upcoming courses in 2008

 

Following the successful response to our introductory course on local terrestrial flora, fauna and habitats held earlier this year, the IES is holding an intermediate course titled '"Wildlife and Habitats of the Maltese Islands II'.  This course will be held during the period 17 - 26 November 2008.

 

Courses

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The IES offers a number of short courses related to the environmental sciences. Long-term degree/diploma courses are not available at present.

Research

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The IES is committed to research on the environmental sciences, with a special focus on ecology and the natural sciences.

Past activities

Seminars for local fish farm operators and staff 

 

The seminars included lectures on basic aspects of underwater marine life and habitats, fish farming and monitoring of fish farm activities.

Recent activities

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Wildlife and Habitats of the Maltese Islands I

 

This introductory course on local flora, fauna and habitats was organised by the IES during the period 18 - 27 June 2008.

 

 

Introduction to EIA

 

The IES organised a two-day  course on 24 and 25 June 2008, as the first of a series of courses on environmental assessment.

 

 

EIA and SEA: past, present and future

 

The IES organised this two-day seminar on 8 and 9 April 2008 which was held at the Coastline Hotel.

 

 

Siġar Indiġeni Maltin

 

The IES organised an evening course during the period 11 - 13 February 2008.  Due to the high demand for this course, it was repeated during the period 18 - 20 February 2008.

 

 

EIA Review Training Seminar

 

The IES and Sherwood Sustainability & Environmental Associates (UK) organised a one day seminar titled: ‘Environmental Impact Assessment, Review Training’.  The seminar was held on 7 November 2007 at the Coastline Hotel and was repeated the following day on 8 November 2007.

 

 

Training seminar for beach workers

29 October 2007

 

A half day seminar which was held in Maltese, comprised one of the activities that the MTA undertook as part of the process to designate two local inlets as blue flag beaches.

 

 

Eco Diving Launch

3 August 2007

 

Eco Diving, a new concept for the local scene, was launched at the Coastline Hotel in the context of offering an innovative diving activity for those who wish to learn more about the Mediterranean marine environment.

 

 

Basic Marine Biology I

 

This course, which was held in May 2007 and repeated in September 2007, included lectures on various aspects of the marine environment, and field and laboratory sessions.

 

Dwejra Tower Information Panels

 

Information panels on the Marine Protected Area at the Dwejra Heritage Park in Gozo, were compiled, designed and sponsored by the IES for Nature Trust.

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