Project Name: Submitted by: Bahrija Oasis Permaculture Research Foundation Malta Date of Submission: January 2010 Brief Project Description: Bahrija Oasis project was set up around seven years ago and is now being run by a number of young volunteers forming the Permaculture Research Foundation Malta. A lot of work has already been done and the land is already extremely different to what it was when the project started, yet being a wind-swept ridge and facing harsh conditions of salty winds, rough terrain and an invasion of local bird hunters, there is still much to do to reach its full educational potential and showcase permaculture works at its best. In order to put this forward in an effective shorter span of time, resources and finances are needed. Bahrija Oasis is the first permaculture project of its kind in Malta and is setting a mile stone for other projects yet to follow. With Malta being so close to Africa and experiencing what is called Illegal Immigration (immigrants from Africa crossing over to Europe), this project is a showcase for putting forward a permaculture proposal to engage people of a variety of backgrounds and show an effective way of contribution to the natural needs of our environments wherever that may be.
Detailed Project Description Bahrija oasis is a small scale research and development project promoting permaculture systems and integrating today s green technology with ecological land based living through a sustainable vision. Situated off the north-west coast of Malta, Bahrija Oasis borrows its former part of its name from the little village of Bahrija outskirts of Rabat. The setting is in the picturesque valley of Bahrija which hosts a number of native trees, shrubs and endemic fauna. The project is based on a 3.5 acre terraced land in the valley. Prior to the commencement of the project 7 years ago, the land was in a degraded state and open to the elements predominantly the NW and NE and WSW winds. Seven years later, the project displays a beautiful traditional dry stone wall on its West side which protects it from the prevailing North West winds and shelters its hundreds of young indigenous trees and saplings. It also holds an under-ground water reservoir with a capacity of around 144,000 litres of water. Keyline land/swale design harvest rainwater and channel it to the cistern to gravity drip irrigate trees and organic crops on 2/3 of the land. The other third is irrigated by harnessing rainwater swales. Several giant reed windbreakers further protect a number of new and old trees and have made an incredible improvement to their health and speeded growth. Retaining dry stone-walls hold soil from eroding and a system of swales (manually constructed earth mounds) direct and manage rainwater run-off beneficially. Systematically planted shrubs and trees form corridors for micro-climate conditions and attract natural wildlife while mimicking a natural pattern.
The Bahrija Oasis Vision The project aims to function as a self reliant ecological small-holding while forming a biotope in order to enrich the landscape and serve as a functioning natural refuge for wildlife while being abundant in food and natural materials. Thus the project is proposing an exemplar that will act as a milestone and a reference point for sustainable development possibilities. It will also support and produce a substantial amount of organic crops and other natural products while host educational workshops to raise awareness on related environmental issues. Water, soil, biodiversity and natural heritage, conservation, protection, restoration and rehabilitation are all issues of main priorities in Malta. Axis 3 of the National Rural and development programme 2007-2013, highlights these issues and stresses the importance of new approaches. The time has come for a thorough study of the contributions and implications of permaculture development for the local and wider community in relation to such issues. Permaculture design systems are increasingly proving to enrich and enhance the land with a sustainable ecology and a natural capital for future generations. The concept is that of a new visionary eco-small holding merging with the natural environment while serving as an educational first hand venue. The site will become a successful demonstration of integrated sciences design.
Promoting low impact life-styles To live a low impact lifestyle is to establish a balance between resource consumption and production. In essence, this means to intelligently and intensively manage our surrounding environment in order to maximise return (in the forms of energy, water, food, shelter and products) and minimise waste (through composting, recycling and efficient energy systems). In practice this means adopting a land-based, simple localised lifestyle that works with the land and natural cycles available to us. By the layout of its nature and structure, the project will encourage a more sustainable approach to living. This will foster strong connections with the local and wider community while exhibiting its unique identity. Sustainability The project will create its own electricity using discreetly placed photovoltaic panels.(this will contribute to irrigation and water flow form design) The project aims at sourcing all of its water needs from the valley using rainwater harnessing techniques and permaculture methods. The challenge of developing livelihood from land-based resources and methods will be given a priority in the research of the project.
Rural Regeneration The project aims to cultivate and demonstrate land based livelihoods. The project will contribute to a stable local economy based on land produce. The project will integrate traditional land management skills combined with modern green technologies and approaches. The project will compliment the rural aesthetics of the valley. The project will host educational courses and encourage eco-tourism. Permaculturists will work the land together with volunteers on a minimum of the following; Rainwater harvesting Dry stone/retaining wall structures Indigenous tree planting and sowing Organic and biodynamic gardening Natural land designs and edible landscapes Fruit trees caring and pruning/grafting Composting and mulching Beekeeping Herb gardens Crop rotations Agroforestry
Education Educational activities will not be limited and will encourage workshops on related environmental agendas such as: Permaculture design Waste reduction and recycling workshops Water conservation and soil structures Reed bed filtration systems Compost toilets Eco living Greening the built environment Protecting natural resources Land regeneration and biodiversity Using alternative energy The project will exhibit a number of examples related to the topics mentioned above in order to demonstrate the viability of these methods and educate people on their implementations.
Permaculture Permaculture has played an important role in the evolving conscious design of the project. It has been integrated into the management plan for the project and will continue to influence how the project is run. Seasonal observation has been implemented in creating wildlife corridors (a careful selection of shrubs and trees planted on land contours systematically), encourage biodiversity and soil health, conserve water and evolve into a system where human interaction compliments the natural landscape. Permaculture techniques have given us the ability to realise the full potential of the land to support people and its natural habitants. The main difference between agriculture and permaculture is that the former tends towards monocrops, use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers for productivity and financial return while permaculture focuses on maximising diversity of produce. Environmental benefits: Bahrija Oasis follows a management plan which, while respecting existing guidelines and rules, aims to enhance sensitive ecological management of the land. The land will be managed in order to demonstrate a diverse patchwork of different habitats and ecosystems. Bahrija Oasis project is intended to demonstrate an increase in biodiversity, soil health and wildlife.
Social benefits: The project will be a show case of sustainable development. The project fully intends to integrate locally. Bahrija Oasis will have a Maltese language policy while endeavouring to afford a bilingual approach as the need arises. Bahrija Oasis will provide a range of local benefits such as fresh food produce, crafts and skills for the locality. Economic Benefits: Bahrija oasis will contribute to a healthy local land-based economy. The project will conduct market research in order to identify key niche markets for its organic produce. Bahrija oasis will regenerate traditional skills in the area. Bahrija oasis will employ volunteers and local people to help build and run the project.
Transport The traffic volume and density to and from the valley will be managed carefully to ensure that the project does not have an unwarranted effect on the small country roads in the area. There will be restrictions on the use of vehicles by people involved in the project. Visitors to the site will be encouraged to choose sustainable travel options,while a service vehicle will shuttle small groups to the town where visitors will be encouraged to leave their cars. This approach has already been implemented during a number of educational activities which have been held and is proving to be successful. Food production An emphasis of the project will be directed at yielding an abundance of organic food through consciously designed landscapes which mimic patterns and relationships found in nature. This will be done through organic methods and rotating crops. The introduction of beehives on a specific area on site is producing honey, beeswax and propolis and the bees act as natural pollinators. The use of chicken tractors will be introduced. These relationships between humans and nature are closely knit in permaculture design while ethical land stewardship and applied permaculture principles is what ultimately makes it a sustainable culture.
Land Works The following picture references show examples of how the finances described in PRF Malta Budget 1 shall be used towards the benefit of the land, biodiversity and people (students, volunteers and visitors). Old dry stone walls have given way with excessive amount of sudden rainfall and thus making way for erosion which leads to desertification.
Traditional stone walls being re-built and establishing windbreakers. (Two major challenges at this stage)
Building windbreakers from local giant reed (Arundo Donax) which is a growing local annual in the Bahrija valley. These wind breakers are old traditional methods to protect crops and trees. Harvested through an annual coppice, this crop has multiple uses as the remains are shredded to form a very effective and moisture retaining mulch.
Rain Water Harvesting Increasing rainwater harvesting systems from adjacent roads and using natural material to divert water.
Expanding Permaculture Design Using permaculture design to re-establish food forests in a few years while using local and natural materials.
Cultivating organic crops and herbs Experimenting with a variety of drought tolerant crops for a better food security.
Permaculture Training Camps Students and volunteers during a one week hands-on training camp
Our Vision for a Permaculture Educational Centre
Site Survey
References: Bahrija oasis is being supported by the Australian Permaculture research Institute and is included in the European network. One can also find a write up on the following link; http://permaculture.org.au/project_profiles/europe/bahrija_oasis_malta.htm A recent article by Anne Zammit, a visiting local reporter on the project is also available on: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080914/environment/making-a-start-with-permaculture While the present website/blog and interactive group space for the project and its activities are found at: www.bahrijaoasis.blogspot.com and Bahrija Oasis on facebook.