Second Quarter 2007 Issue: 6 ISSN: 1790-1421 Tilos Park Journal Tilos Park “The protection of the environment is an issue Association of democracy. When we talk about the quality Owner of democracy today, we can only envision an Dr. C. Alexander ecological democracy, the epicenter of which is Editor the protection of the environment.” (24-07-07, K. Mentzelopoulos the President of the Hellenic Republic, Photographer Layout Editor Karolos Papoulias.) In the photo to the right, President Papoulias signs hisTPA membership application on June 18, 2006, in the EU LIFE - Nature office on Tilos. In this Issue: TPA: A Special Anniversary 1 Tilos Park Association: A Special Anniversary Tilos Promoted in Japan 2 On July 26, 2007, the Tilos Park Successfully lobbied the Hellenic of Tilos by EUROPARC Federaton TPA Exhibition at Brussels EU Association celebrated the third Environment Ministry to issue its to be a host site representing one anniversary of its establishment. official approval of the Tilos out of only twelve 2008 Green Week 3 The non-profit NGO was founded Special Environmental Study for EUROPARC internship program by current TPA Director the Creation of a Natural Park in locations in the 38 countries in EUROPARC Internship for Tilos Konstantinos Mentzelopoulos to October 2006 and continues which EUROPARC operates; establish the Tilos Natural Park cooperation with the Ministry in Park 4 and to independently develop 2007 in the current Receipt of financial and technical environmental conservation establishment of the Tilos support from Euronatur (Germany) Tilos Geology 4 actions and eco-tourism in concert Natural Park; for eco-tourism development and with stakeholder participation in nature protection projects; Tilos Flora Data Collection 5 this EU Special Protection Area United Nations Environment (SPA). Program [UNEP] recognition of Creation of employment for Tilos LIFE Documents Great Spotted the TPA in its selection as a residents and the development of a The TPA is guided by the keynote speaker at the continuing employee education Cuckoo on Tilos 5 philosophy that development of November 2006 Athens program; Tilos Bat Species Documented 5 local participation is vital to “Mediterranean SOS” conference accomplish the aims of raising for the TPA’s exemplary Daily operation of the EU Tilos Blasius Horseshoe Bat 6 island awareness of its natural achievement in engaging active LIFE Nature Exhibition and Tilos resources and training local participation by island residents Visitor Information Centre without Island Death Trap 6 participants through continuing in eco-tourism development and Municipal support; education and employment in the nature protection activities; Elix Intl Volunteers Help Tilos 7 management of a Natura 2000 Operation of island tours and site. The TPA with valuable local TPA recognition and approval by audio-visual seminars on the participation achieved the the European Commission as a biodiversity, nature protection and following in the first 36 months of Co-Financier and Co-Partner in cultural history of Tilos; its existence: the €825.000 EU Tilos LIFE Nature Project; Development of a website A 2006 Ambassadorship award by [www.tilos-park.org] and island the European Commission Natura Application and successful marketing campaign; 2000 Networking Programme for delivery of a €373.000 wetland exemplary environmental for wildlife development program Collaboration with a BP renewable conservation practices in a Natura to the Tilos Municipality [EU energy expert for the development 2000 site [www.natura.org]. This Interreg III Greece/Cyprus]; of increased renewable energy award has only been given to 2 sources for the hotel industry and a out of 390 Hellenic Natura 2000 Receipt of EUROPARC renewable energy facility for the sites; membership and technical entire island; support as well as the selection Tilos Park Journal Page: 2 TPA: A Special Anniversary (continued) Host to non-resident academic prevention of illegal activities EU periphery community, but the biology/ecology field studies; harmful to legally protected species achievements have actually been and the environment; built upon a foundation of obstacles. Host to annual international These obstacles are primarily the volunteers for island nature protection Selection by the European result of the conflict between our actions; Commission to be an Exhibitor at modern understanding that nature the expense of the Commission at protection serves humanity and Quarterly Greek/English publication of the 2007 Brussels EU Green traditional wildlife resource collection the environmental Tilos Park Journal Week, and annual EU Green Week that consumes wildlife without any (www.tilos-park.org); participation on Tilos through allowance for adequate regeneration. volunteer island and coastal clean- The resulting conflict created an Introduction of bi-annual Bird Ringing up actions; opportunity for the TPA to Research to Tilos in cooperation with demonstrate to local residents the the Hellenic Bird Ringing Centre and Development of a library with Tilos socio-economic value of preserving contribution of logistical planning, scientific data in the fields of nature and sharing this island beauty equipment and accommodations; geology, ornithology, marine with visitors. biology and botany; and Establishment of a volunteer-operated Although Tilos is but a drop in the Avian Recovery Centre for injured TPA membership support from one ocean, recognition of its evolution in wildlife with the cooperation of the third of the Tilos permanent environmental conservation University of Thessaloniki School of resident population. developed by the TPA has reached Konstantinos Mentzelopoulos Veterinary Medicine and the Hellenic distant Hellenic shores in the current TPA Founder Centre for Wildlife Rescue and The most successful method of establishment of protection zones and Rehabilitation; ensuring that island residents a Tilos Natural Park by the Hellenic embrace nature protection has Ministry of the Environment. As Development of feasibility study of been to work together and learn guardians rather than as owners of prototype actions for threatened from one another in order to nature, the island residents now marine species conservation; preserve our European natural believe that this development augurs heritage. The nature protection well for the future of this Special Organic agriculture promotion; benefits achieved so far not only Protection Area. outweigh the obstacles inherent in Regular island surveillance for a traditional and somewhat isolated Tilos Park Association Tilos Promoted in Japan Co-Founding Members The natural beauty and biodiversity of presenter of this travel Tilos were featured in a four part documentary escorts the viewer to Japanese television travel program island sites of natural beauty and about the Aegean region produced by travel interest to Japanese national Tomoko Kiriyama, Director of viewers. TV Asahi broadcast this Image.com. In April, Andreas travel documentary seen by 9 Andreadis, Consul General of million viewers on 27 different Sweden in Rhodes, referred Ms. channels throughout Japan during Kiriyama to the TPA Director during four successive Saturdays in June. her first Tilos visit for LIFE Nature, The fourth installment of the travel wildlife, cultural and historical film featured Tilos and earned the information as well as an island tour. highest viewer ratings in the four During the tour conducted by the TPA part series, according to Ms. Director with the courtesy of Ilias Kiriyama’s June 25th telephone call Christofis who provided the island to the TPA Director. The Tilos Park transportation, she was impressed website documented a higher than with the easy blend of wildlife, the average number of visitors from variety of natural habitats and minimal Japan following the film human activity against a backdrop of presentation which introduced the blue sea, mountainous landscape, a island SPA to new international fertile valley and open countryside. viewers. Ms. Kiriyama and Mrs. Keiko [Photo left to right: Ms. Tomoko Tilos Park Association Logo Papayannopoulou, Coordinator at Kiriyama, Mrs. Keiko Created by George Sfikas Marisol, S.A., returned in May for Papayannopoulou and Mr. Kostas island filming in which the Moutzouris at the TPA office] Page: 3 Tilos Park Journal TPA Exhibition at Brussels EU Green Week “Complacency is not an option…” Directorate-General for the European Commission, June 2007 Environment, The Tilos Park Association (TPA) industry. It is the responsibility of was selected by the European citizens to use and support local or Commission to participate in the regional products where possible, June 12-15th EU Green Week prepare meals corresponding to the Exhibition in Brussels attended by season and recycle waste. A positive more than 5,000 visitors. The EU note was presented by Maria Ivanova Conference and Exhibition theme this from Bulgaria who is associated with the year was “Past Lessons, Future Yale Center of Law for Environmental Challenges”. The TPA was one of Law and Policy. She is optimistic about scores of applicants from 27 the future because she has already countries that applied for a limited EU Margot Wallstrom witnessed how “the environment can be selection of Exhibition hosts whose Vice President the fiber that connects societies” and The TPA Director being interviewed EU Commission transportation and accommodations encourages mutual cooperation. by NATUREZA Spanish TV were paid by the Commission. According