Objectives and activities

When WWF Greece undertook the initiative to safeguard island wetlands, there was very limited knowledge as to their number and state, and most of them were virtually nonexistent in the eyes of the State.

During the project’s first two years (2004 - 2006) efforts focused on developing internal capacities and infrastructures, so as to collect and analyze all data needed to properly document the wetlands’ ecological statuses and to fully comprehend the problems they are facing. This allowed for the careful planning and implementation, later on, of a quite complex activities grid, aiming to mobilize the State and competent bodies at a national and local level, to ensure the establishment of special measures for the conservation of island wetlands, to promote their implementation and prevent or thwart dangerous threats.

These activities were planned and implemented in accordance to the following main axes: a) research, so as to scientifically document the value and status of island wetlands while enriching their inventory, b) direct site management activities, c) advocacy and campaigning activities, in favour of island wetland preservation and protection, and d) communication and awareness-raising campaigns, aiming at sensitizing the public as well as specific target groups, e.g. school students.

Activities were linked to project objectives as roughly sketched below: