Tethys Wetland Park
Region
Europe
Country
Greece
Flyway
East Atlantic flyway
Initiative
WLI Europe
About
Tethys Wetland Park
Funding support: Private income
Number of staff: 5
Number of visitors per year: As yet unknown
Overall aims of the centre
Tethys Park purpose is to enhance awareness for sensitive aquatic ecosystems, such as wetlands, promoting a sustainable management model.
Description of the centre
The Park is being developed in a wetland complex of Nei Poroi, of the prefecture of Pieria in Greece and consists of an area of 300 hectares.
The wetland constitutes an interesting ecosystem due to its complexity, with various animals and plants. The flora includes many species of plants and its fauna includes both migratory and permanent birds (e.g. swans, flamingos, ducks, herons, falcons, seagulls, divers, cormorants, sandpipers, Kingfishers, coots, water rails and other coastal birds) and a significant number of fish, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. For migrating birds, the wetland area is one of the major stations in northern Greece.
Especially the fish population consists of more than 30 species, many of which are of high commercial and nutritional value, while others are of great ecological importance.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work areas
Since October 2012, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a number of activities that have been developed and understand the value of biodiversity. Visitors can see a traditional extensive aquaculture system, while getting involved in ecotourism and environmental activities developed in the terrestrial part of the park.
In Tethys Park, there are several environmental education tablets, where a visitor can learn and understand the importance of the wetland ecosystem, and get acquainted with various animals, including endemic species of Greece. The tablets are categorized in three groups: I) Wetlands, II) Wetland species and III) Fisheries and aquaculture in coastal ecosystems.
There is a museum also, where the visitor can admire:
Over 1000 shells of bivalve molluscs, skeletons of crustaceans, echinoderms, fish and other aquatic organisms from Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic and Pacific Ocean,
fossils of aquatic species,
Preserved fish species from Greek seas and inland waters of Greece,
Posters for the evolution of life,
Indicative scientific equipment with historical significance.
Top three successes
1) The transformation of a deserted wetland into a productive ecosystem with environmentally friendly applications and integrated management plan.
2) The development of a wetland for environmental education, as an interactive classroom in nature, for ecotourism activities and for research activities.
3) The establishment of a water monitoring system which connects the integrated management plan and the production of high quality aquaculture products.
Top three challenges
The connection between environmental protection and local development.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials; Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Managing / creating habitat; Running a visitor centre; Building / maintaining structures
Participation
Engaging young people; Engaging the local community;
Education and communication
Early years education; Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Project planning.
Contact
Tethys Park,
GR-60065 Nei Poroi,
Pieria
Greece
Tel. +30 2310 327067,
fax +30 2310 309768,
Konstantinos Koukaras, Biologist