Points of Support | Restoration and promotion of a path as a walking route of geological and environmental interest
SCE Apano Meria was selected in 2023 to implement one of the 38 actions of the 6th Cycle of the Points of Support program!
Our project was entitled “Rehabilitation and promotion of a path as a walking route of geological and environmental interest within the Natura 2000 area” and related to the path Kampos-Aerolithos-Lia.
The project was implemented within the framework of the “Points of Support” program, which is co-financed by the Ioannis S. Latsis Foundation, the TIMA Foundation, the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation, the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the Athanasios K. Foundation. Laskaridis, the Costas M. Lemos Foundation, the Public Benefit Foundation for Social and Cultural Work KIKPE, The Hellenic Initiative Canada, the Athena I. Martinou Foundation and the Bodosaki Foundation”.
The first action of the project was the cleaning of the path Kampos-Lia with emphasis on the furnace located at the end of the path on 5/11/2023.
On the day of the action, 20 volunteers and 6 members of SCE Apano Meria gathered. The attendees were informed about the Natura area, the specific path and its special features, the project we aim to carry out, instructions were given on the methods to be followed and rules of safety and behavior were set.
2000 liters of waste were collected!
The bags were collected on a sheltered part of the beach and picked up by the Syros Inflatable and Speedboat Club a few days later, weather permitting.
The next stage was the development of the project’s digital and printed deliverables. A digital mapping of the route was carried out by the SCE and characteristic samples of flora, fauna, geomorphology and cultural heritage on the path were recorded.
The website https://discover.apanomeria.org/ has been created.
In it one can see the paths of Syros in an Open Street Map background and see the samples recorded on the specific route, read information about them and see the corresponding sources of information. 35 points of interest have already been registered on the website. The aim is for this platform to be the repository of the research results of SCE’s actions and to be the point of contact for the public and the scientific community with valuable and interesting data.
At the same time, a brochure was created to highlight the restored trail with information on the flora, fauna and geology of the area, in Greek and English, which was distributed to local tourism businesses to serve as an educational tool and an opportunity for visitors to explore. of the island.
The project was completed with an educational walk on the path on 24/3/2024. 47 people participated in the walk. The walk was accompanied by the Museum Research Center of the Department of Geology & Geoenvironment of EKPA with two female researchers, who shared information with the participants.
The walk acted as a culmination of the project’s objectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the geological, ecological and cultural significance of the area. We were particularly pleased with the interest of the local community in the walk beyond all expectations.
Overall, the project has left a positive impact on the Kampos-Lia trail, demonstrating the transformative potential of collective environmental management. Beyond the immediate environmental improvements, the project has empowered the local community, provided educational opportunities and promoted sustainable tourism practices, laying the foundation for ongoing conservation efforts in the area.
