Educational Activity
"The Travelers of the Mediterranean"
At the Parnonas Flora Information Center, located in the old Vaskina Elementary School, on July 2 2026 at 8:00 p.m., we’ll be meeting up with our young friends to discover the fascinating world of pelagic seabirds!
The program is being implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Ornithological Society, using scientifically sound and pedagogically designed educational materials.
Seabirds are particularly important biomarkers, as the presence and status of their populations reflect the health of marine and coastal ecosystems.
During this activity, we will learn about three characteristic species of the Mediterranean: the Shearwater, the Artemis, and the Hydrovate—the tireless “travelers” of the open seas. These birds are perfectly adapted to life on the open sea, where they spend most of their lives, covering impressive distances. They return to land—mainly rocky coasts and isolated islets—solely to breed, going to great lengths to protect their single egg.
Registration Form
Why are they at risk?
Globally, seabird populations are declining at a faster rate than other bird groups. They face multiple pressures, both at their breeding sites and in the marine environment.
The most significant threats include:
- The predation of eggs or chicks by invasive species, such as rats, on breeding islets.
- Incidental entanglement and mortality in fishing gear at sea.
Objective of the initiative
Through the educational materials provided by the Hellenic Ornithological Society, children will learn about the need to protect seabirds. Through hands-on and interactive activities, they will learn about the species that breed in our country, identify similarities and differences among them, and understand the threats to the sustainability of their populations.
What Will Our Little Friends Do?
Crafts
The children will choose one of the three “stars of the sea,” color it, create paper masks, and let their imaginations “fly” like real seabirds!
Trivia Game
With the help of a special identification key, they will discover the names of the species depicted on the cards, while at the same time honing their powers of observation and critical thinking.
Storytelling
Children will have the opportunity to enjoy a reading of the story “Mychos, a Story About a Seabird” in the courtyard of the Information Center, letting their imaginations take them on a journey into the world of seabirds.
Crossword Puzzle
Through this fun game, they will recall and reinforce the information they have learned.
Fostering Environmental Awareness
Children will learn about the importance of the uninhabited islets of the Aegean as wildlife refuges and will draft the “Ten Commandments of a Good Visitor.” At the same time, they will understand how human activities can contribute to the spread of invasive species, such as rats, which threaten seabird nests.
📌 More information about the educational materials:
https://ornithologiki.gr/el/enhmerwsh-ekpaideush
The goal of OFYPEKA’s information and awareness-raising activities as part of the festival
Organization for the Natural Environment and Climate Change
https://necca.gov.gr/
The mountains of Parnonas, including the Leonidio region, are home to more than 500 plant species, and the full extent of this botanical wealth continues to be discovered. Approximately 56 are endemic (found exclusively in Greece), and two-thirds of these are rock plants. To be precise, 18 unique species of chasmophytes can be found on the rocks of Leonidio, while the Daphnon Gorge in the Leonidio Valley and the area around the Elona Monastery are home to four endangered bird species. The goal of the information and awareness-raising initiatives promoted by the Southern Peloponnese Area Management Unit (an agency operating under the Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change), is to raise awareness among visitors and the local community about the environment that surrounds them, as these are areas of exceptional environmental importance.
The Leonidio Information Center for the Flora of Parnonas is a unique venue for documenting, highlighting, and promoting the rich flora of Parnonas. This value is well-established, as evidenced by the presence of numerous and significant plant species, and ranks Parnonas among the regions with the richest flora in Europe. The Environmental Interpretation Exhibition presents the most important and rarest plant species in detail, with the help of interactive exhibits and applications. The diorama on display focuses on the rare and endemic plant species of Mount Parnonas through their depictions.
The “Mediterranean Travelers” workshop is made possible through a partnership with the Hellenic Ornithological Society.
The Hellenic Ornithological Society is an environmental, nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of wild birds and their habitats in Greece, recognizing them as fundamental elements of Greek nature. Since 1982, it has been working to ensure a sustainable environment for both birds and people.
Our vision is an environment rich in biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and aesthetic value, where no bird species is threatened with extinction due to human activities.
The mission of ORNITHOLOGIKI is as follows:
The mission of the Hellenic Ornithological Society is to protect birds and their habitats through the design and implementation of scientifically grounded actions and interventions, educating and raising public awareness, developing partnerships, and encouraging the active participation of us all.
