The Lifesaving Buskett Project was officially launched on 1 August 2014. The launching event took place at the site where the project will be carried out; the Buskett woodlands.

Speakers on the occasion included the Project Leader Mr. Herman Galea, the Project Manager Dr. Mark Causon and the Buskett Operations Manager Mr. Emmanuel Portelli.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Hon. Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change Mr Leo Brincat.
Minister Brincat dwelt mainly on the effect of climate change in the Mediterranean and the resultant reduction in precipitation and more extreme precipitation events. He said that a reduction in precipitation will reduce the amount of water available to sustain the habitats targeted by the proposed project. Therefore, maximising the amount of water available through actions designed to restore and protect the water carrying function of the watercourse will be beneficial to the dependent habitats. On the other hand, extreme precipitation events will give rise to surges of run-off water that will cause further damage to the watercourse banks through mechanical erosion unless the retaining structures are repaired, as well as carry away the soil that forms the substratum of the targeted habitats. Thus, the Minister continued, the repair/restoration/rebuilding of the retaining walls will be an important action to counter such climate changes. He also pointed out that even if there is no climate change, the site in its present state, is still vulnerable to climatic conditions. In fact worsening climatic conditions will increase the vulnerability of the site.

Minister Brincat then proceeded to officially launch the Life Saving Buskett project, giving credit to all the partners and contributors involved in this project, not least the EU Life+ funding Instrument. He augured that this project is carried out as programmed for the benefit of all.