Strofylia-Kotychi - Conservation management in Stofylia-Kotychi

The main project objective was to improve the conservation status of the most important ecological features of the Kotychi-Strofylia site, located on the west coast of the Peloponnese, in Greece. The project has been successful in achieving the following tasks: Wetland management with the establishment of four automatic monitoring stations; a canal was opened in south Kotychi; the dredgings were laid on Kotychi islet; two large canals were opened to improve water circulation and create new valuable bird habitats; the forest was intensively studied. Additionally with the assistance of the forest service, many illegal roads were permanently blocked. Coastal Dune Restoration fences were placed alongside the most affected parts of the dunes. Parking lots, swimmer access points were delimited, information signs were placed and sensitive dune habitats were fenced. An electric fence was constructed and placed in Metochi mudflats, floating rafts were installed. The project organised many events and consulted widely with the local and national authorities, stakeholders and interest groups. Information material (i.e. leaflets, posters, T-shirts, DVD documentary, website) was produced. Four educational nature trails were established and signposted and an educational package was produced and distributed to schools at a national level.