Arcturos Large Carnivore Volunteer Program underway

Sunday the 31^st of March 2024, saw a clean-up operation by 140 volunteers at Amyntaio, Prefecture of Florina, hosted by ARCTUROS as part of their PONT funded project where action #9.1 of the “Large Carnivore Connect” framework involves the development of a “Large Carnivore Volunteer Program”. The area where the volunteer activity took place is of particular interest as it is included in the NATURA2000 network of Greece and is a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Bird Directive.

The clean-up was carried out in a 3-km section of a riverside area of the Asprogia river and was implemented around the perimeter of the ARCTUROS’ Wolf & Lynx Conservation Area. Of the volunteers who participated in this clean-up action, 90% were young people under the age of 30. All the necessary equipment (i.e., gloves, bags, etc.) were provided to the volunteers to carry out the cleaning activity, which lasted approximately 4 hours.

As a result, approximately 1.5 to 2 tons of solid waste was collected and transported by Amyntaio Municipality to the DIADYMA Waste Sorting Centre for triage. 70% of the solid waste collected was plastic. Following the clean-up operation the volunteers enjoyed an educational tour at the ARCTUROS Wolf & Lynx Conservation Area and at the Bear Conservation Area. During the tour, they learned about ARCTUROS’ efforts to protect Greek biodiversity and large carnivores in particular.

Activity Results:

• The motivation and participation of volunteers through their active participation in the protection of Greek biodiversity.
• Public awareness about Environmental Conservation, Biodiversity and the harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
• Cleaning up of a protected area.
• Plastic recycling, approximately 1 ton.