Environmental Education

Environmental Education at Environmental Centres

Environmental Centre of Evrotas

The Environmental Centre of Evrotas has been operating since 2000 in the old primary school of Agioi Taxiarhes, offered by the Municipality of Skala. The venue and the surrounding area were rearranged by ARCHELON with the co-operation of the Hellenic Ornithological Society and the Ministry of Environment in the context of a LIFE Nature project. Through exhibitions and presentations, visitors have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the natural heritage of Lakonia and learn about the wetlands, the sand dunes and the marine ecosystems and the protected natural habitats of Greece.

The exhibition area of the Centre is consisted of display units with ten topics, a three-dimensional map of the proposed "Natura 2000" site and a three-dimensional wall exhibit with the most important species of the area and their ecosystems. Guided tours in the exhibition area, slide shows and outdoor educational activities are organised throughout the year following arrangement.

Environmental Centre of Agiannakis

The second Environmental Centre was established by ARCHELON in 2001 in the context of a European LIFE Nature project that was completed in South Kyparissia Bay. The Railway Organisation of Greece offered the use of the old railway station at Agiannakis in Messinia that was renovated and suitably arranged. The Municipality of Avlona supports the function of the Centre, which is visited by approximately 2,000 people annually.

The exhibition area offers the visitor the opportunity to learn about the coastal area, sea turtles and local economic and cultural activities. The exhibition includes information on our planet, the sea turtles, the coast and coastal forest, the lakes and rivers in the area. The broader area is part of the proposed "Natura 2000" network and hosts the second major nesting beach of the loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean Sea.

Approximately 3,000 students visit the Environmental Centre of Evrotas and the Environmental Centre of Agiannakis annually. Organised groups are guided in the exhibition area where they receive information on the natural heritage of the areas and learn about the wetlands, the sand dune zone, the marine ecosystems and all the protected natural habitats of Greece. Slide shows concerning sea turtles and the local ecosystems are operated, whereas other activities including games and drawing are organized for small children. Visits at the environmental centres last approximately 45 minutes.

For visiting arrangements and information on the Environmental Centres, please contact us at: stps@archelon.gr tel: +30 210-52 31 342.

Environmental Centre of Pagalohori (Rethymno, Crete)

The Environmental Centre of Pagalohori in Rethymno was created in summer 2005 in the context of LIFE Nature project. The old and abandoned school of Pagalohori was given to the Society by the Municipality of Arkadi, which also undertook the greatest part of the restoration works.

The Centre also operates as a First Aid Station for sea turtles. The Environmental Centre has photographic exhibition and material and has many visitors (students, pupils, individual visitors), who have the chance to get information about wetlands, sand dunes, marine ecosystems and all protected habitats, which are found in many places in Greece.

The Environmental Centre of Pagalohori in Rethymno is accommodated in an old school in the village of Pagalohori, which was given to ARCHELON to use it for environmental education reasons. Pagalohori village is in the area of Rethymno, only 13 km east from the city centre and only 2 km from the new national road and the nesting beach of Rethymno.

How to get to Pagalohori:

If you drive on the new national road from Heraklion and head towards Rethymno, you will reach a sign in Sfakaki that reads 'Rethymno old road', here you will turn right and this will lead you onto the old road. Once on the old road you will drive under a bridge. Roughly 300m after the bridge, the road veers to the right and there is a sign to 'Pagalohori'. Drive for about 2km up this road and into Pagalohori, until you reach the Environmental Center, which will be on the left.

If you drive on the new national road towards Heraklion, you will reach a sign in Sfakaki that reads 'Heraklion old road', here you will turn right. Roughly 300m after the turning you will reach the crossroads for Pagalohori. Here you turn left and continue along the road into Pagalohori until reaching the destination.

For visiting arrangements and information on the Environmental Centre of Pagalohori, please contact us at: crete@archelon.gr tel: +30 28310 72288, 6972 877961.