Welcome to our Green Projects Around the Rock!
Building a Greener Future for Our Community with the GHS
At the Gibraltar Horticultural Society (GHS), we believe that small steps can make a big difference in creating a more sustainable and beautiful environment for everyone.
This year, we are proud to launch a series of Green Projects Around the Rock—initiatives designed to bring more nature into our urban spaces, improve community well-being, and fight the impacts of climate change.
Project one
Gibraltar’s Urban Mini Forests
Our vision is to establish Urban Mini Forests in key locations across Gibraltar. These compact but powerful green spaces provide:
Cleaner air and cooler temperatures
Biodiversity habitats for birds, insects, and pollinators
A calming, natural space for people to enjoy
With community support, these projects will transform underused plots of land into thriving ecosystems. We are calling on volunteers to help us clear sites, plant trees, and nurture these new forests into life.
No experience needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in!
Why Volunteer?
By joining the Mini Forest Team, you will:
Make a visible difference – help plant and nurture new forests around the Rock
Connect with nature – spend time outdoors and learn practical planting skills
Build community spirit – meet like-minded people and work together for a greener Gibraltar
Leave a legacy – contribute to an environmental project that will grow for generations
How You Can Help
Clearing and preparing sites
Planting trees, shrubs, and wildflowers
Ongoing care and maintenance of forest plots
To offer vital help, please email the society at info@gibraltarhorticulturalsociety.com or, reach out via our contact page here…
Project two
Greening Gibraltar’s Bus Shelters
Imagine waiting for your bus beneath a living roof of greenery. That’s the idea behind our Greening Bus Shelters project. By covering shelters with plants, we can:
Reduce heat in urban areas
Support pollinators
Add beauty to everyday commutes
We are currently seeking sponsorship for individual bus shelters. This is a unique opportunity for local businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainability while making a visible, positive impact in the community.
Below you’ll see the available shelters for sponsorship, simply choose your location and leave the rest to us!
Why Sponsor a Shelter?
By sponsoring an individual shelter, your company will:
Showcase leadership in sustainability – align your brand with a visible, eco-friendly project.
Gain high visibility – your name/logo displayed on a community shelter used daily by residents and visitors.
Support the community – create a greener, healthier Gibraltar for all.
The Shelter Sponsorship includes:
Branded plaque/signage on your sponsored bus shelter.
Recognition on the GHS website and social media channels.
Public acknowledgment at launch events and press coverage.
The opportunity to involve your staff in planting days.
WHY SHOULD WE GREEN GIBRALTAR?
Green spaces play a crucial role in urban areas and provide essential food, shelter, and nesting sites that are vital havens for our wildlife. As our population grows and our streets and buildings expand, Gibraltar’s green areas become even more important in the defense against climate change and help protect our natural world for future generations.
TACKLING POLLUTION
Trees, plants, and other greenery works to hold and remove pollutants from the air, taking up the carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) created by vehicles and industry. These pollutants would otherwise have a huge effect on air, water, soil, animals and our health. Research has shown that plants with rough, hairy or small oval shaped leaves are the most effective at capturing minute particles and can have a big impact on improving air quality.
DEALING WITH FLOODING AND DROUGHT
The amount of extreme weather we have could increase because of climate change, with heavier flooding and drought happening more often. Green areas are being built on, reducing the amount of ground we have to soak up rainfall. Vegetation in our gardens will become even more important as it does the job that natural green spaces used to do by absorbing and storing water. Managing water and picking plants that can handle drought will give the best benefits.
MANAGING TEMPERATURE
Our summers are getting hotter, plants and trees can help to manage these extreme temperatures by providing shade and releasing water from their leaves to cool down the environment. In urban areas with less space; climbers, green roofs and green walls are being grown in exciting ways to absorb summer heat and insulate buildings in winter.
With city centres containing concrete, masonry and asphalt for roads they are noticeably hotter than rural places. Adding green roofs and green walls is proven to reduce the temperature by several degrees. Creating these in your garden can seem a bit daunting but there are really simple ways you can do this type of greening around your home.
HOW GREEN SPACES HELP OUR HEALTH, OUR WELLBEING & OUR ENVIRONMENT
Gardens and green places are good for the environment and for wildlife but they’re also good for us. Gardening has a long and connected history to science and medicine. For centuries we’ve been encouraged to grow plants for food but also use them to treat common ailments. In our modern world, we increasingly acknowledge that gardens and green spaces are associated with better physical, social and mental health.
GARDENING AS EXERCISE
Exercise is now considered essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life and it’s medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Gardening can play a big role in helping us to keep fit and healthy – the number of calories burnt from 30 minutes of gardening compares to playing badminton, volleyball or practising yoga.
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GARDENING
Spending time outdoors has profound benefits, with studies showing that gardening can significantly reduce depression and anxiety. The University of Tokyo's research prompted calls for governments and health organizations to promote gardening. This evidence led to an increase in GPs prescribing gardening to their patients.
Gibraltar offers various opportunities to engage with the environment. The Alameda Botanic Gardens hosts weekly volunteer sessions open to all who want to help maintain the gardens, enjoy time outdoors, and connect with like-minded individuals.