FIELD PROJECTS: HIGHLIGHTS
Management, guarding and eco-tourism development of the
Dadia-Soufli Forest
Reserve
The Dadia Forest Reserve lies in the core forest area towards the
east of
the prefecture of Evros, Thrace. According to EU Directive 79/409,
Dadia has
been demarcated as a Special Protection Area. The reserve is
home to a
remarkably rich variety of reptile fauna and rare and endangered
birds of
prey. More than 200 different species of birds, 40 species of
reptiles and
amphibians, as well as large and small species of mammals can be
found here.
An indication of its rich variety of fauna is the fact that out of a
total
of 38 species of birds of prey in the entire Europe, 23 nest in this
protected area. The forest also hosts the last black vulture colony
in SE
Europe. Including the bird species which winter or stop here
during
migration, the number of species of birds of prey goes up to 36.
The Dadia Forest Reserve consists of two strictly protected core
zones
covering 7,200 ha. This is surrounded by a buffer zone of
approximately
28,000 ha. Since 1992, WWF-Greece, in collaboration with the
Ministry of
Environment, the Soufli Forest Service and local communities, has
undertaken
a project for the integrated management, wardening and
development of
eco-tourism in the Dadia Reserve. An information centre and
observatory for
birds of prey have been set up. The ecotourism centre has
emerged as an
ideal base for tours to natural sites and traditional settlements in
the area.
Society for the Protection of Prespa
A non-profit, non-governmental body, the Society for the
Protection of
Prespa (SPP) was founded in 1991 at the initiative of
WWF-Greece. It
consists of seven Greek and three European Non-Governmental
Organizations
(NGOs). The principal aim of the SPP is to conserve the cultural
and natural
values of Prespa and to promote sustainable forms of
development. Among the
Society's wide range of programmes are:
- The operation of an information centre for Prespa and the village
of Aghios Germanos
- A proposal, along with local authorities, for the European Union
"LEADER"
project
- A study on the importance of the Aghios Germanos region,
which is not at
present included in the Prespa National Park
- Research into the rational management of Mikri Prespa's wet
meadows and
reed banks
- Design and management of the CADISPA project by means of
sub-projects on
organic farming, education, information, and cultural and
agricultural
upgrading.
CADISPA: Project for Conservation and Development in Sparsely
Populated Areas
This project, started in Scotland and extended later to Italy, Spain,
Portugal and Greece, seeks the social and economic upgradation
of the areas in
which it is being implemented. CADISPA also aims to promote
the region's
rich cultural and natural values. In Greece the CADISPA
programme is being
implemented in the Prespa National Park under the supervision of
the SPP. It
includes:
- An Environmental Education programme for schools in the
prefecture of Florina
- Organizing Environmental Education activities in Prespa for
visiting schools
- Planning and implementation of economic development
proposals
- Promoting trade of local products of Prespa through the
establishment of a
market in Aghios Germanos
- Provision of consultants and information to the locals on
restoration of
buildings
- Research programmes and measures for the protection of
Dalmatian and White
Pelican colonies
- Measures for the protection of the endemic sub-species of trout
in the
stream of Aghios Germanos
- Planning and implementation of pilot eco-tourism programmes.
Ionian Sea Project: Conservation of Endangered Species and
Habitats in the
Ionian Sea
The areas of Zakynthos, Cephallania and Hora, Kyparissia
(Western Peloponnese) and
the Strofades Islands are home to a rich variety of fauna. They
host sea
turtles, Mediterranean monk seals, migratory birds and rare
species of
flora. They also comprise habitats of international importance.
The main aim of the Ionian Sea Project is the conservation of
species within
the framework of sustainable development. In addition, it monitors
tourist
activities which exert the most intense pressure on these habitats.
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