The environmental NGO Nature Trust (Malta) will resume its popular short natural history courses in October, which should appeal to enthusiasts of our natural heritage hailing from different sectors. No prior background in biology is necessary to attend such courses, which will be open to students, professionals and members of the public alike. The course content is such so as to inculcate participants with a thorough background on the tenets of the Maltese natural heritage.

The course coordinator for the first short natural history course is Dr. Alan Deidun, who will deliver lectures on aspects of the climatic and ecological conditions of the Mediterranean region, of the coastal environment and on human pressures on the local environment. Mr. Edwin Lanfranco will be delivering a lecture on the adaptations of local plants and on local natural habitats whilst Arnold Sciberras will be elaborating on the local faunal diversity, especially with respect to reptiles and insects.

Lectures within the October short course will commence on the 15th of October and will be held on three successive evenings, on Wednesdays, at the premises of Nature Trust (Malta) at the University of Malta (bottom of car park 1). Course participation also envisages participation to two different site visits, where some aspects addressed during the lectures will be revisited through hands-on experience. Such site visits will be led by Ms. Annalise Falzon, a qualified local nature guide, and will entail observations of different local natural habitats and species.

Prior reservation and payment for the October short course is mandatory and the deadline for such reservation is Tuesday 30th September. For further information on course fees and participation, kindly contact Dr. Alan Deidun at alan.deidun@gmail.com or at alan.deidun@um.edu.mt or Nature Trust (Malta) at info@naturetrustmalta.org