St Julian’s Local Council Names First Garden in Honour of the Maltese Honey Bee

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee proudly announces another important milestone under its national initiative to honour Malta’s endemic pollinator. Following the precedent set by Santa Luċija with the naming of Triq In-Naħla Maltija, the Local Council of St Julian’s has now become the first in Malta to name a public garden after the Maltese Honey Bee. The garden, located within Triq Ta’ Giorni and previously without an official name, has been formally designated Ġnien In-Naħla Maltija.

This initiative forms part of the Foundation’s wider national campaign encouraging Local Councils across Malta and Gozo to name streets, gardens, and public spaces in recognition of the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri), Malta’s National Insect. By embedding the bee’s name into everyday public spaces, these initiatives serve as lasting reminders of the species’ vital role in biodiversity, food security, and Malta’s natural heritage.

The decision by the St Julian’s Local Council to name Ġnien In-Naħla Maltija is particularly significant. The garden had no prior name, making this dedication a symbolic and forward-looking gesture that connects urban life with environmental responsibility. Situated along the busy Triq Ta’ Giorni, the garden provides a green refuge within a highly urbanised area, reinforcing the message that nature and conservation belong even in Malta’s most developed localities.

By choosing to honour the Maltese Honey Bee, St Julian’s is recognising a species that is deeply intertwined with the islands’ history and identity. The very name “Malta” is believed to derive from ancient words for honey, meli, melite, melita, highlighting a thousands-year-old connection between the Maltese people and honey production. Naming a public garden after the bee is therefore both an environmental and a cultural statement.

The process of naming the garden was carried out in line with Maltese legislation, including the procedures outlined in Subsidiary Legislation 363.10. Through this process, the Local Council demonstrated how local governance can actively support national conservation objectives, while engaging residents in meaningful, place-based initiatives.

Beyond its symbolic value, Ġnien In-Naħla Maltija offers opportunities for community awareness and education. The garden can serve as a space where residents, schools, and visitors reflect on the importance of pollinators, native flora, and sustainable practices. Such spaces help foster a shared sense of responsibility for protecting Malta’s fragile ecosystems.

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee extends its sincere thanks to the St Julian’s Local Council for its vision, collaboration, and commitment to environmental stewardship. This naming marks another important step in building a nationwide legacy that honours Malta’s National Insect.

With both a street and now a garden dedicated to the Maltese Honey Bee, the initiative continues to gain momentum. More Local Councils are expected to follow in the coming months, further strengthening Malta’s collective effort to celebrate, protect, and safeguard its most iconic pollinator for generations to come.

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