Koutsouras

The Forest Park of Apigania in Ierapetra (5000 acres) consists of the Koutsoura woods (100 acres), with infrastructure for miscellaneous educational and leisure activities and an afforested land of 300 acres, where the creation of a Botanical Garden of Apigania is planned, with species of Cretan and Mediterranean flora. In the broader region of 5000 acres nature trails can be designed (which include The Butterflies’ Gorge that ends up to a small cascade), climbing fields as well as religious tourism trails (churches, monasteries etc). The region was burnt down in 1993 but then thousands of school children and citizens of the Ierapetra Municipality planted more than 10.000 trees of local Cretan flora. Last year two international workcamps have been hosted in the area and volunteers have pruned more than 8000 trees (pine trees, cypresses, locust trees, cedars and others) as a fire protection and supporting healthy growth measure. Oreino village on Thripti mountain is surrounded by walnut, pine and plane trees. In the area there are also many fresh water springs. Oreino is at the top end of the Canyon while the Kourtouras forest and entrance of the Gorge is 4 hours walk south. Oreino, is a very small mountainous village with very friendly and hospitable community. The school is next to the see side, so swimming on a daily base is one of the main free time activities. Ierapetra is a town in the south east of Crete Island. The forest park of Apigania where the camp will take place is 30 min by car way from Ierapetra. Visits and environmental education excursions to the most important sites of the area are going to take place, including an excursion to the island of Chrysi, one of the most important environmental protected areas of Greece. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to visit and participate in some of the cultural events organised in different parts of the area. Camp-leaders will organise free time activities in co-operation with the volunteers and the local partner. Host organization does not cover free time activities expenses.