The government says it is stepping up efforts to make communities greener by expanding a nursery and landscaping programme that supplies plants to public buildings and new homeowners.

During the Budget Debate, Housing Minister Maria Browne outlined how the programme is being used to support environmental improvement alongside housing and infrastructure projects.

Plants grown through the initiative are being distributed to government offices and public facilities, while people receiving new homes are also provided with plants to help establish greener surroundings.

The aim, officials say, is to encourage tree planting and landscaping as part of everyday development, rather than treating it as an afterthought. By integrating greenery into housing developments and public spaces, the government hopes to improve air quality, reduce heat, and create more pleasant living and working environments.

The programme also supports flood-management and climate-resilience efforts, as trees and vegetation help absorb water and reduce runoff during heavy rainfall. Landscaping around buildings is expected to play a role in protecting infrastructure while enhancing the appearance of communities.

Government planners say the initiative is designed to promote a culture of environmental responsibility, encouraging residents to take part in maintaining green spaces and caring for the plants provided.

The nursery and landscaping programme will continue into 2026 as part of a broader push to combine housing, infrastructure and environmental management in national development plans.