News

A two-day conference on “Mapping and Evaluation of Ecosystem Services in Cyprus” was held in Nicosia on 4 and 5 December 2018. The conference was co-organized by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Forests with the project iLIFE-TROODOS, under the aegis of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Dr Costas Kadis.

More than 50 people from public and wider public sector departments and services, environmental organizations, universities and development companies were invited and participated in the conference. The conference presented the necessity of mapping and assessing ecosystem services in Cyprus and how these are part of the European Union’s policy on biodiversity conservation. The conference included invited talks by experts on ecosystem services from abroad, as well as thematic sessions for the mapping and evaluation of the ecosystem services of two important areas of the island: Larnaca Salt Lakes and Troodos National Forest Park.

The iLIFE-TROODOS project co-organized the conference under Action B.2 of the project. This action involves the organization of workshops aimed at raising awareness of the natural values and ecosystem services provided by the Troodos National Forest Park as well as in building capacity of specific groups of individuals (for example policy implementers).

Invitation

Agenda

Within the framework of the project iLIFE-TROODOS, which is co-funded by the European Union, the partners of the project (Department of Forests, Department of Environment, Frederick University, Contact Advertising Agency Ltd) in collaboration with the Cyprus Photographic Society – Nicosia Branch organize a:

Photo Contest with the subject “Troodos, it is in our nature”

The project iLIFE-TROODOS “Troodos National Forest Park: Promoting natural values and Ecosystem Services” aims to increase public awareness on the natural values of Troodos National Forest Park, for which it was included in the Natura 2000 network, and the ecosystem services it provides.

The contest aims to highlight the natural – inherent value of the forest ecosystem of Troodos National Forest Park regarding its biodiversity. Using their photo cameras, the participants are encouraged to “capture” the Park’s natural beauty and show the variety of habitats, flora and fauna species, geology and natural landscapes throughout the four seasons of the year.

More information – Contest Terms And Conditions

Contest Poster

The first Stakeholders’ meeting of the iLIFE-TROODOS project took place with great success on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The meeting, which took place at the Athalassa Information and Education Center of the Department of Forests, gave the opportunity to competent government authorities, NGOs, and to organized/ professional bodies to be informed about the project and to express constructive comments in order to achieve its goals. The participants were particularly interested because the project has the potential to contribute in some cases to the achievement of their own goals, especially as regards attracting visitors to the Troodos National Forest Park.

The iLIFE-TROODOS project organized an event, in cooperation with “Aetos” Platanistasa’s Game Club and Environmental Group of Pitsilia, on Saturday the 6th of October 2018, in the hall of Association Achilleas of Platanistasa.

The participants were informed regarding:
• The unknown fauna of Cyprus. Myths and reality, presented by Mr. Charis Nikolaou, Forest Officer of Forest Parks and Nature Conservation Section, Department of Forests and
• The Troodos National Forest Park: Promoting natural values and ecosystem services, presented by Mr. Minas Papadopoulos, Project Coordinator and Conservator of Forests A’ of Troodos Division, Department of Forests.

During the event, the visitors and participants had the opportunity to be informed about the iLIFE-TROODOS project and watch the audiovisual material of the project that has been produced and is already being presented by televisions, cinemas and newspapers.

The event is the 5th rural workshop that took place in a community neighboring Troodos National Forest Park and its implementation goes under Action B.2 “Information and Awareness workshops” of the project.

Troodos, something is changing.

Two information points for visitors at Troodos Square and Platania are expected to be installed soon by the Department of Forest. The information points will enhance the available information provided to visitors regarding the services provides as well as the recreational facilities within the Troodos National Forest Park and the neighbouring communities. Information points’ plans have already been prepared by the architectural office andreas tsiaklis studio.

Information points are one of the deliverables to be implemented within the framework of the project iLIFE-TROODOS, which is co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus in the framework of LIFE program. Each information point will be equipped with a touch screen for information provision and 8 information boards about the natural values of the Park. The ultimate goal of the two information points is to increase knowledge of the visitors regarding the natural values and the ecosystem services of the Park, which are combined with all available recreational opportunities provided by Troodos National Forest Park and its neighbouring communities, such as nature trails, picnic and camping sites, accommodation, restaurants, museums, churches etc.

The iLIFE-TROODOS project participated at two cultural events organized in Troodos, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about Troodos’ natural values and the ecosystem services that provides to our lives.

In particular, the project was presented during:
– The theatrical performance “Ο Γιαννής τζιαι ο Δεσπότης” on Thursday 9/8/2018 in Amiandos and
– The events of the 15th of August in the community of ‘Tris Elies’ (South Marathasa) on Saturday 11/8/2018.

Within the framework of the above events, the visitors had the opportunity to informed about the project by the Project Coordinator Mr. Minas Papadopoulos and to watch all the audio-visual material that has been produced and is already being presented by televisions, cinemas and newspapers.

These presentations are part of the project’s Action ‘B.2 – Information and Awareness workshops’.

On Sunday 22nd July 2018 staff members of the iLIFE-TROODOS project participated to an event that was organized by KLIK FM at Platania picnic site, with the aim to promote environmental awareness among the people of Cyprus. Visitors at the iLIFE-TROODOS kiosk were provided with information material as well as promotional material of the project and, at the same time, they had the opportunity to interact with the staff members of the project. They were informed also about the importance of Troodos National Forest Park and the ecosystem services that provides. In addition, visitors were informed about the Photo Contest with the subject “Troodos, it is in our nature”, which has a first price the amount of €1000.

Within the framework of Action B.2 «Information and Awareness Workshops» staff members of the iLIFE-TROODOS project participated to an event titled “Back to our Roots”, held on Sunday 1st July at Kakopetria village. The objective of this participation was to inform the people about the importance of Troodos National Forest Park and the ecosystem services that provides. The project’s TV spots and animated cartoons projected at a TV at the iLIFE-TROODOS kiosk. The visitors were provided with leaflets, newsletters, stickers and bookmarks of the project and, at the same time, they had the opportunity to interact with the staff members of the project.

On the 11th to 13th of June 2018, staff members of the iLIFE-TROODOS project visited the LIFE project ‘The ecological services, social benefits and economic value of ecosystem services in Natura 2000 sites in Crete, Greece’ (LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete – LIFE13 INF/GR/000188) at Crete. The purpose of the visit was the establishment of a network and the exchange of experiences between the two projects.

During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to present the actions of their projects and discussed certain constraints and problems. The participants also visited a number of places of interest including the Information Centre “NATURA 2000 Hall” at Natural History Museum of Crete.

The iLIFE-TROODOS project participates in the celebration of the Natura 2000 Day on 21 May 2018. The event will take place in the Special Protection Area “Atsas – Agios Theodoros” and will include information on the restoration activities implemented in the burnt area, information on the iLIFE-TROODOS project, voluntary work for afforestation and visit to the settlement “Karterouni”.

 The program of the event and more information can be found here.