While most people, between the ages of 19 and 35, will be holidaying on the islands during the months of July and August, some people will opt for a less traditional and more dynamic Greek break, helping to preserve forests, lakes, rivers and the thousands of miles of coastline.
For the fifth year in a row, the Greek branch of the nonprofit Worldwide Fund for Nature, will be running work camps at wilderness sites throughout the country. The organisation's goal? To educate, as well as get work done. Thirteen volunteers and two WWF-member leaders will undertake the scheduled two-week-long projects at seven sites.
Specifically:
1) Axios River Delta (July 12-26) - Volunteers will assist nature by building a path along the delta and fencing/marking a protected region. The site is only 15 kilometres from Thessaloniki, at the meeting point of four rivers. Accommodation: The local Information Centre.
2) Ambelokipi, Zakynthos (July 16-30) - Only one or two of every thousand loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) have a chance at making it to adulthood. Volunteers - preferably with a biology background - will help boost the odds by cleaning protected beaches and monitoring the turtles' habitat on this Ionian island. Accommodation: Ambelokipi Elementary School.
3) Kerkini Lake (July 17-31) - Volunteers will build wooden nest supports for waterfowl (an ongoing WWF project) and fence in protected areas in the Northern Serres Prefecture. Caring for birds at this freshwater reservoir is critical, as rising water levels have endangered their mating grounds in recent years. Accommodation: Vyronas Indoors Gymnasium.
4) Evros River Delta (July 31-August 13) - At a site located near the Greek-Turkish border, volunteers will clean the Loutros river, marking and maintaining a footpath. Accommodation: Loutros Forest Lodge.
5) Prespa Lake (August 2-16) - Water buffalos will be helped out at this lake region, as volunteers will construct wooden structures for monitoring these animals. A bird observation post will also be repaired in a region boasting several commendable agro-tourism efforts. Accommodation: Agios Yermanos Elementary School.
6) Kato Pedina, Zagori (August 7-21) - Cleaning and maintaining footpaths within the Epirus village of Kato Pedina, as well as one outside its grounds, are the goals of this work camp. Accommodation: Kato Pedina Elementary School.
7) Lefkimi, Evros (16/8-30/8) - Volunteers will maintain and mark an old footpath, in the proximity of a forest full of rare and endangered bird species nestling in the area. Accommodation: Village Providence Centre
*** Interested in volunteering? Contact: Yiannis Marinos of WWF, Tuesdays and Thursdays, after 3pm, at (301) 331-4893. There is a GDR35,000 fee covering lodging, food and excursions.
