Environmental Bodies & Organizations

The Association for the Protection of Asterousia, headquartered in Kapetaniana, aims at the cultural development and promotion of the settlements located in the mountain range of Asterousia. Additionally, its purpose includes the preservation, maintenance, and promotion of the ethnographic, cultural, and historical material associated with these settlements. 
Furthermore, it strives to document the archaeological sites of the region and highlight them, as well as protect and showcase the religious monuments of the area. Also, the Association contributes to reviving the traditional arts of the region, including the establishment of music festivals. 

Read less

The Ecomuseum of Zagori is an open museum that deals with the protection and utilization of natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of local sustainable development. Its basic principle is that the monuments of a region remain "in situ" reflecting living testimonies of a particular era. 

Communication with visitors includes aspects of social life, production processes, socio-economic and natural history of the place.

At the same time, it interprets the spiritual, social and economic development of the place, which is directly connected to the natural environment and its effects in determining its special physiognomy.

Read less

The Management Unit of Samaria National Park and the Protected Areas of Western Crete, is a Legal Entity Under Private Law, which reports to the Ministry of Environment and Energy and is responsible for the administration and management of the Natura 2000 areas of Western Crete. These areas, apart from their self- evident value as environmental landmarks of Crete and Greece, are also fields of anthropogenic activities, with emphasis on tourism. The Unit seeks the participation and implementation of actions of local, regional and national character, aiming at the sustainable development and management of these areas. Read less

Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark is an excellent geotourism destination that offers experiences for recreation and education. High mountaintops such as Timios Stavros (2456m.) alternate with valleys, plateaus, gorges, forests, and caves creating unique
landscapes. A variety of birds of prey, amphibians and bats are protected in the Nature 2000 Areas and Wildlife Refuges, while the rich flora offers the opportunity of observing rare and endemic species.

The coexistence of landscape and man is unique. The stone is transformed into a mitato (shepherd’s mountain- shelter), a threshing floor and a dry-stone wall to serve a sustainable relationship from the ancient times to the present day. The area of the Geopark includes many important archaeological sites and monuments from the Minoan period to modern times that are worth visiting such as Idaion Antro, ancient Eleftherna and the Arkadi Monastery. The visitor can discover Psiloritis of every season through mountain skiing routes, hikes and walks in villages with workshops of traditional arts, local food and local festivals.

Read less

The Museum of Natural History of Crete belongs to the University of Crete and was founded in 1993, while institutionally it exists since 1980. It is housed in the building of the old electric in Heraklion which has been donated by the Municipality of Heraklion to the University of Crete for this purpose. It includes the following departments: zoological, botanical, anthropological, paleontological, geological, mineralogical and has rich research experience, as it has participated in more than 86 national and European programs. It is the only institution in Greece which has organized dozens of scientific missions within the country and more than ten in Cyprus. It is active in matters of natural environment management, education, environmental awareness and the formation of ecological museums in Greece and the Mediterranean. In addition to its collections and workshops, an important goal of the Museum was the creation of an exhibition space where the public would have the opportunity to get in touch with the Museum's collections and be informed about the natural environment. Read less