Combining abilities, creating synergies, enhancing performances

BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY Botanical Garden of Rhodes

South Aegean Region, Greece INTERREG IV C Hybrid Parks

June 2013

CONTENTS

1. Introduction ...... 3

2. Five Gardens of the Botanical Garden of Rhodes ...... 6

2.1. Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture ...... 7 2.2. Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ...... 8 2.3. Garden of Mediterranean Flora ...... 9 2.4. Garden of Mythology ...... 10 2.5. Garden of Colors and Wildflowers ...... 10

3. Activities ...... 12

3.1. Environmental activities ...... 12 3.2. Educational activities ...... 13 3.3. Research and Scientific activities ...... 14 3.4. Recreational activities ...... 16 3.5. Local economies ...... 17

4. Action Plan - Proposals ...... 19

5. Conclusion ...... 21

2 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 1. Introduction The Botanical Garden of Rhodes (BGoR) is situated in Rhodes inside the Plant Nursery of the South Aegean Region.

BGOR is a founding member of the National Botanic Garden Network since 2010. The Nursery extends over an area of 485 acres while the BGOR occupies 96 acres. It was built during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese (1912-1945); at that time, it was used for the cultivation of vine varieties. The BGOR is located 5 km away from the city of Rhodes and 17 km away from the airport of Rhodes. BGOR hosts a variety of species and its primary objective is the preservation and promotion of biodiversity of one or more types of vegetation. It is a model Botanical Garden, unique in Greece but also in the Mediterranean as well.

BGOR will be open all year round, during the winter being used for educational purposes and in the summer providing a sightseeing venue for both Greek and foreign visitors to have guided tours in the form of environmental education. In order to be financially viable, the purposes of the Botanical Garden in Rhodes are diverse. More analytically we can focus on the following: • Increasing the knowledge and awareness of the general public on a large number of species of the Mediterranean flora and varieties (local and other) of Mediterranean agriculture. • Creating a Plant Propagating Material Bank • The collection and effective protection of plant genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity in the Region. • Safeguarding plant species which are endangered or rare or endemic. • The creation of environmental awareness of visitors, especially young people (pupils, students). • The provision of education to special groups (students of biology, agriculture, agronomy, farmers, etc.).

3 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes • The creation of green spaces and recreation within walking distance from the city of Rhodes. • The aesthetic improvement of the area. • Creating a popular attraction for all seasons, as there will always be blooming plants, fruit trees or shrubs, aromatic brushwood etc. • Organization of recreational activities. • The economic exploitation of the Garden by creating an additional tourist resource in the tourist island of Rhodes is expected to generate additional economic benefits to the local community as well as the creation of new jobs.

Picture 1: The Nursery of the Prefecture of Dodecanese in Rhodes

Picture 2: The area of the Rhodes Botanical Garden

4 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes Significance

In order to facilitate the implementation of the BGOR, the Prefecture of Dodecanese acquired a highly valuable collection of material concerning the wildflowers, the medicinal and aromatic plants, the brushwood, the tree crops and the vineyards of the Aegean region. Such a collection is unique in Greece and more generally in the Mediterranean area.

Facilities

The BGOR provides different kinds of facilities: • Glass greenhouses (2,5 acres) • Soil and plant laboratory • Training center DIMITRA • Vineyard (120 acres) • Two drillings • Parking area (10 acres) • Breeding pens for partridge and peasant.

5 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 2. Five Gardens of the Botanical Garden of Rhodes The BGOR is comprised of five different gardens: ♦ The Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture ♦ The Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ♦ The Garden of Mediterranean Flora ♦ The Garden of Mythology ♦ The Garden of Colors and Wildflowers.

Furthermore, the BGOR will be enriched with two more types of gardens: the rose garden of ornamental plants and the garden of tropical and aquatic plants.

Picture 3: The layout of the Rhodes Botanical Garden

6 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 2.1. Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture The Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture aims to the preservation of tree varieties which contributed in a great part to the economic life of the islands of the Aegean, Greece and the Mediterranean area generally.

The ecological diversity that each region of Greece presents due to climatic, soil and hydrological conditions, determined the cultivation of certain varieties that were adapted to these conditions, while the residents had developed corresponding cultivation tasks and activities. These practices were much less energy-intensive due to the absence of fertilizers, pesticides and water consumption. The preservation of this kind of cultivation practices and the types of varieties is of great significance. Towards this direction, the Garden functions as an experimentation center for the development of new varieties.

The trees that have been planted in the Garden are citrus trees and bosky cultivations: Plum trees, pomegranates, walnuts, pear trees, mulberries, wild plum trees, peach trees, loquats, almond trees, quince trees, cherry trees, pear trees, olive trees, citrus trees, figs, pistachio trees, apple trees, hazels, persimmons as well as vine varieties which were cultivated and are still cultivated nowadays mainly in the Aegean islands.

Special emphasis is given to olive trees, figs and vine plants which were the main agricultural activity for decades in the past in Rhodes.

The purpose of the Garden of Mediterranean Agriculture is the collection and the effective protection of plant genetic resources and

7 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes agricultural biodiversity of Greece in the context of emerging dangerous genetic erosion that characterizes the post-war period.

The main objective of this action, besides the creation of a "bank of propagule”, is to point out the need to preserve a valuable biogenetic material which is about to be lost to the public and the youth people. Through the demonstration of local varieties and the diagnosis of their biological advantages and characteristics, a significant portion of the population will be sensitized which will have practical results.

2.2. Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants In Greece, and especially in the islands of the Aegean, the medicinal and aromatic plants like thyme, oregano, mint, lavender, sage and the "mountain tea" abound. The Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants hosts innumerable species of Aegean aromatic flora. The planted plants are perennial and woody. Priority has been given to those which contain large amounts of essential oils (fragrances).

It should be taken into account that during the summer, the aromatic plants release increased amounts of essential oils in the atmosphere allowing visitors to wander in an aromatic garden.

The objectives of this garden are:

♦ The collection of species and varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants from the islands of the Aegean which will be unique in Greece. ♦ Visitors (scientists, students, tourists, etc.) will have the opportunity to observe and study most of the medicinal and aromatic plants of the Aegean, all collected in one location. ♦ Acquaintance with these plants that play a significant role in perfumery, pharmacy, distillery, cooking, beekeeping, gardening where their use was widespread in prehistoric

8 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes times. These species have been inextricably connected to Greek tradition, mythology and history. ♦ Cultivation and control of the productive capacity of selected varieties in abandoned agricultural land.

Some of the aromatic and medicinal herbs that grow in the Garden are: thyme, oregano, sage, mint, marjoram, rosemary, savory, lavender, burning bush, capers, lemon balm, lily, crocus, mountain tea, wild carnations, mullein, fennel, lupine, wild rose, etc. Special emphasis has been given to species and varieties of plants and herbs of Rhodes.

2.3. Garden of Mediterranean Flora In Greece the plant species are about 6.000 of which about 2.000 are endemic. This means that these species grow in Greece and nowhere else. It is also important to mention that 25% of the plants growing in the Balkans are endemic too. Taking into consideration that Greece belongs both to the Balkans and the Mediterranean, one can realize the significance of Greek flora.

The flooding of the Mediterranean area by sea one million years ago and the subsequent fragmentation of land in islands and peninsulas created barriers to junctions and transport of plants. The species which were isolated on islands and peaks of mountains evolved in a different way comparing to others in neighboring continental regions. In this way, isolated for several thousand years, they acquired their own characteristics and terminology. According to Polunin and Huxley (1987), authors of the book "Flowers of the Mediterranean", Greece holds the most characteristic position on the evolutionary procedure above. Especially in the Aegean Sea, there are more than 250 endemic plants.

Apart from its recreational purpose, the garden of Mediterranean flora addresses to certain visitors such as scientists, students promoting its

9 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes educational scope. While wandering in the garden, the visitors will have the unique opportunity to become acquainted with a large amount of flora that exist only the Mediterranean.

2.4. Garden of Mythology As far as it concerns the Greek plants, it is necessary to mention that although the evergreen plants are the predominant form of vegetation in the country, they are almost unknown to the younger generation. So, a garden with myrtle, laurel, carob, holly, wild olive, mastic tree and other similar species, beyond the fact that it is green throughout the year, it constitutes the first Botanical Garden of Mythology in Europe. Some of the dominant plants of the Greek flora which are related to Greek mythology and exist in the Garden are:

♦ Oak tree: Dedicated to Zeus. ♦ Laurel: One of the most beautiful nymphs of Greek mythology, daughter of Earth and the god-river Ladon. ♦ Olive tree: Deeply connected to goddess Athena and the city of Athens. ♦ Wicker: Goddess Hera, the protector of marriage, was born under a wicker. ♦ Myrtle: When goddess Venus of Paphos emerged from the sea, she hid behind a myrtle. ♦ Pomegranate tree: Dedicated to goddess Hera, because the fruit with the infinite red berries was a symbol of fertility and fruitfulness. ♦ Fig tree: Titan Sykeas was transformed into a fig tree by his mother Earth in order to be saved from the pursuit of Zeus.

2.5. Garden of Colors and Wildflowers In Greece, 6.000 plant species have been identified. About half of them are perennial plants and about the 90% is found in areas of Mediterranean climate. A large part of the perennial plants are wildflowers. The wildflowers are plants with wonderful blossoms and a

10 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes variety so great that we can see them blooming throughout the year because of the different flowering seasons of each kind.

This garden is not large in size and most of its plants bloom throughout the year. As far as their collection is concerned, special knowledge was needed in order to search them throughout the year and in various places.

Some of the numerous planted wildflowers are: tulips, daffodils, Paionia orchids, sea lily, wild onion, cyclamen, irises, prickling, hollyhocks, amaranth, valerian, anemones, lupins, bluebells, daisies, periwinkles, fritillaries, etc.

11 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 3. Activities Every year, approximately 2.000.000 tourists visit the region. Taking into consideration the aim that 20% of the visitors and 20% of the local population is going to visit the site. We expect that approximately 420.000 people will visit BGOR in order to get informed on the local agriculture and the Mediterranean biodiversity. Various activities have been developed for the maximization of the environmental benefits of the site and the attraction of visitors:

3.1. Environmental activities • Creation of a mini dam in the river which borders on the garden for water saving, so as to be used for the watering of plants. • Composting (Plant waste management): Leaves and pruning residues collection from the island of Rhodes, cutting up, pulping, composting in the field area and using the compost for the organic fertilization of the island’s crops. • The greenhouse unit has the ability to produce forest plants for the afforestation and reforestation of areas in cooperation with the Forest Department. • The facilities for the breeding pens of partridge contribute to the enrichment of the local fauna. The Hunting Club of Rhodes has the responsibility of its operation. In addition, the same area can host pheasants, quails, parrots and various breeds of rabbits and pigeons. • Arboricultural sector: The greenhouse produces the desirable for the region varieties adapted to local climate conditions, such as olive varieties and citrus trees. • In cooperation with the other Greek nurseries, the producers are supplied with other types of productive trees such as peach trees, nectarine trees, plums etc. • Vegetable Sector: The greenhouse produces the desired vegetable varieties such as tomato, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, cabbage,

12 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes lettuce, and delivers ready plants to the producers as well as seedlings coming from organic seed for organic vegetable crops. Thereby the nursery makes an opening to the rural producers by supplying them with the variety of vigorous plants that they wish. Many plants are often damaged during their transportation, since it is well known that most of them are coming from other parts of Greece. As a result, when the producers receive the plants, they may have been altered. The cost is covered by the sale of the seedlings and it requires few changes of the area.

3.2. Educational activities • The BGOR hosts volunteers through the volunteer network as well as students who are interested in studies on the subject of the environment. • Along with school visits for recreational purposes, environmental education courses take place too. The theoretical part of it is implemented in the room of DIMITRA Institution and the practical part in the nursery so that the young students can come in contact with plants and animals. • Actions of environmental education are implemented in schools and with various groups of citizens on organic waste management, water conservation, alternative energy sources etc. as a way to environmental consciousness that promotes development and sustainability. • Training for farmers on new cultivation and organic farming techniques as well as on the production of homemade sweets, marmalades, liqueurs and pasta. • Establishment of a small museum on "traditional crops" where relevant images, tools, processing steps of plant products, photographs and slides are exhibited. Part of the material can be provided temporarily to schools for their purposes. • Creation and printing of Visitor’s Guide.

13 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes • CD-Rom distribution with the plants of the Aegean or the Greek flora. • Cooperation with teachers on the island of all the levels of education in order to create special programs for pupils and students. • The site could be used by Universities and other educational bodies for the further education of the students on plant species. • Beekeepers’ training: There is a building granted to the Beekeeping Cooperative of Rhodes in order to use it as beekeeping storage area – laboratory. Therefore, the new beekeepers are taught the procedure of collecting the honey, its processing and standardization. • Training for the production of local and traditional products: The room of the educational institution DIMITRA is used for training on the production of local and traditional products such as cheeses, frumenty, pasta, “spoon sweets”, pastries, embroideries, weavings, etc. • The nursery is indicated for farmers’ training and specifically for young farmers in the field of practical education. • Breeders’ training where the farmers can be informed on the new requirements of animal husbandry related with animals nutrition and their healthy living.

3.3. Research and Scientific activities • Research for the spotting of local varieties which tend to become extinct, cooperation with other botanical gardens for the exchange of traditional genetic material, experimental crops within the area of the garden and their dissemination to the producers, given that the current trend for quality products has become a necessity and it has been recognised that the local varieties have a special taste, color and aroma. Cooperation with universities has already begun for the collection of relevant information.

14 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes • Operation of Soil Science Laboratory for soil quality control in order for the producers to choose the right crop and more environmental friendly fertilizers. • Beekeeping workshop for quality classification of the regionally produced honey and for export promotion. • Creation of new evidence crop species, such as crop superfoods like sea buckthorn and goji berry, in order to promote the restructuring and upgrading of the vegetable production in the South Aegean Region. • One of the basic purposes is for the nursery to become a space that can be visited and can function as a multipurpose park, an infrastructure which is absent in the island of Rhodes. Therefore the Botanical Garden includes not only scientific elements; it also includes recreational and educational aspects. • Agro-economic research laboratory: The laboratory is located in the Botanical Garden aiming at the implementation of agro-economical studies, primarily for the area of the Dodecanese and secondarily for other areas. Its operating cost is insignificant since agriculturists, economists, engineers, foresters, civil servants, civilians etc. participate voluntarily. For instance, some of the studies carried out could be techno-economic studies on the cost of agricultural products in Dodecanese, comparative studies on the cost difference between organic and conventional agriculture, market research for cultivating new products, such as aromatic and medicinal plants etc. • Applied research: By the term of applied research we mean the research carried out in a limited space and its results are educed in a short period of time. Thereupon, an area of 2 acres is used in order to monitor performances, disease resistance, resistance to drought and transport of various varieties, performances and behaviours of new plant species for the market such as energy, herbs, blueberries, etc. The cost is not that high, since the area is

15 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes confined, with a limited number of parameters and it is covered by the Prefecture.

3.4. Recreational activities • One of the basic purposes of the garden is the implementation of activities based on agricultural issues such as mowing, threshing, harvesting, and honey collection in the traditional way followed by entertainment through traditional dances and songs. For example, during the harvest, the area of 2 acres which is cultivated with wheat is harvested traditionally with sickles; ovens bake wheat breads and traditional sweets. In the same way, the vintage is organized with the existence of the traditional wine press and caldrons for the production of “souma”1. • Art exhibitions and actions that influence policies on local and regional level are implemented. • Collaboration with universities and technological institutions in the country for students’ practice on agronomic, environmental and cultural issues. • Implementation of guided tours and agrotouristic activities during the summer through the participation in the botanical garden’s daily tasks. • Designing of trails, walks and running paths. • There are 2 mini football courts 5x5 2. During the hours 15:00- 18:00 they are used by football academies; at all other times and during the weekends, they function as regular courts for matches. • There is one basketball-volleyball court and one tennis court. • There is a playground with increased safety rules so that the children can play safely while they visit the site with their parents. • There is a recreational center (café, bar) offering low prices and music for all the tastes (classical, Greek, 60’s etc).

1 Souma is a traditional alcoholic drink of Rhodes. It is a distillate from grapes or figs. 2 Five-a-side football (5x5) is a variation of association football in which each team fields five players (four outfield players and a goalkeeper), rather than the usual eleven on each team. Other differences from football include a smaller pitch, smaller goals, and a reduced game duration.

16 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes • In cooperation with the Municipality of Rhodes, the Flower Festival (Anthestiria) could be organized in its natural space.

3.5. Local economies • 20 acres of the Garden are divided in blocks of 100 sqm, which are distributed to destitute families or members of the population that need financial assistance; they are then able to grow vegetables for their personal needs. • Implementation of awareness programs and active participation throughout the year for the citizens that show an active interest. • During the harvesting period, the olives are collected by the staff of the garden and the olive oil that is produced is offered free to the Social Grocery of the Region. • Floricultural sector: After its 2-year operation, the nursery produces a large quantity of ornamental shrubs either by transplants with the help of mist or by seeds. The main purpose is their disposal to municipalities, sub-prefectures, military camps, churches, etc. aiming at the grooming of the area and the landscape’s character maintenance and avoiding the planting of outlandish species. Under the existing conditions, the productive capacity of the nursery is 250,000 to 300,000 plants per year. • Dodecanesian and Greek traditional products promotion: there is a showroom for the Dodecanesian and Greek traditional products on order to sell them to the visitors, like honey, oil, cheese, handicraft, weavings, ceramics, etc. In this way, Greek and foreign visitors can be confident in the quality of the products that they buy avoiding products of third-country origin, such as honey imported from China. • The women cooperatives 3 have the opportunity to dispose more easily their products to a larger buying public. The Feminine

3 The model of women cooperatives gives an employment way-out to women who face unemployment and exclusion, particularly in the countryside. Cooperatives have shown themselves as distinctly beneficial to improving women’s social and economic capacities. A cooperative can go beyond simply providing an

17 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes Cooperative of Apollona is already in function and the Feminine Cooperative of Simi will operate soon. • Reformation of crops in the Prefecture such as pomegranate crop, medicinal and aromatic plants as well as other species which are wanted in the market, with parallel education on a theoretical and practical level in BGOR, in order that the region’s agriculture becomes more competitive. • Program “Mother Earth”: Within the framework of an ambitious attempt, an area of 20 acres divided in 250 sqm is rent to urban cultivators who want to get involved with the gardening but they cannot accomplish it, whether due to lack of land or, for those who own their own land, it is located too far. These people cultivate organically with the technical support of the staff and the nursery’s infrastructure. The purpose of this activity is not the profit but the production of products free of pesticides which is for personal consumption. • Viticultural sector: There are more than 120 acres of French varieties installed such as Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Muscat designed to produce wines that help the local industry to upgrade its product. The area has been allocated to a new farmer and the crop is fully mechanized.

income for the poor women members involved or stimulating the larger community in which it is located, cooperatives have "empowered" women, "enhanced their dignity, and greatly improved their quality of life. The women cooperatives have played in Greece over the last 25 years a significant role in rural and local development, providing employment to their members and local products of exceptional quality (farm, local, tourist, cultural etc).

18 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 4. Action Plan The upgrade of the existing Garden has already been designed and especially the planning of the Garden’s new departments, the planning of paths among the varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants, the identification and certification of new local varieties by a group of scientists (Agriculturists, Landscape Architects, Systematic Botanists), who have experience in planning and creating Botanical Gardens.

More specifically:

Axis 1

Proposal : Creation of environmental interpretation walking route under the name The Path of Biodiversity. Objective : In situ conservation and enhancement of populations of uncultivated plants which are going to be tagged with identification signs, enhancement of local biodiversity, interpretation of plants identity. Approach : In situ signage and classification of the uncultivated plant species in the selected area of the Regional Nursery, path tracing, creation of plant identification signs and information signs on environmental interpretation.

Axis 2

Proposal 1: Planning of new modules of plant presentation. Proposal 2: Interventions with additional plantings, where it is appropriate in various departments of the Nursery with various plant types, in order to prepare specific modules of plant presentation. Objective : Gap fulfillment, integration of sites, creation of specific modules of plant presentation, formation of a site harmonized with the surrounding natural environment, with high aesthetic value and reduced needs for inputs, durable over time, with seasonality and a variety of perceptual stimulation.

19 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes Approach : Creation of micro-environments formed in “green outdoor rooms”, plant selection with thematic and biological criteria, creation of information signs for environmental interpretation, creation of plant identity signs, planting plan, plan for soil formation, soil conditioners, mulch, irrigation, path tracing and flowerbeds’ delimitation using natural materials, plan of plant material supply (certified and for nurseries).

Axis 3

Proposal : Basic infrastructure development for pilot programs of farming certified plant material of aromatic/ medicinal plant species on a small scale. Aim : Development of the production capacity of innovative natural products of aromatic and medicinal species, ability to train individuals interested in such business through seminars and training courses. Approach : After an autopsy for capabilities investigation and in consultation with the managers, provision of certified plant material, provision of integrated cultivation protocols.

20 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes 5. Participating in “Hybrid Parks”- Interreg IVC The participation of the South Aegean Region in the Hybrid Parks project is an excellent opportunity, not only for the further development the Botanical Garden of Rhodes, but also for the further evolvement of policies that promote sustainable local and regional development through parks. The Region is in front of a totally new concept which will be implemented through this project.

While the partnership includes many cities and regions which energetically enhance and use parks in a wider policy context such as economic development, rural diversification, protection of cultural heritage, landscapes and environment or urban renewal, the Region will gain all the necessary significant knowledge and experience through the participation in the workshops and stydy tours.

The South Aegean Region acknowledges the unique resources of parks, the advantages of cooperation and the need to achieve additional economic, social and environmental benefits to diminish the risks of decline or loss caused by conflicting demands, budget reductions etc.

Within the project’s framework, the Region will contribute to the project’s key objective by combining abilities, creating synergies and enhancing the performance of parks for sustainable development policies.

21 HYBRID PARKS, Best Practice Case Study – Botanical Garden of Rhodes