Focusing on the need to protect mountain ecosystems, the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark celebrates World Mountain Day on December 11 with two targeted activities highlighting the role of mountains in biodiversity and sustainable development. It should be noted that mountain landscapes are fundamental ecosystems, yet they face the impacts of climate change and human intervention.
On Thursday, December 11, the Geopark will hold an educational activity at the 3rd Primary School of Sitia, a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network. Students will learn about orogeny, rocks, and the biodiversity of the area, and will create a small geological garden on the school grounds. The initiative enhances environmental education while allowing children to engage directly with the natural wealth of their region.
On Friday, December 12, at 17:30, an open event will take place in the Sitia Municipal Council Hall in collaboration with SAEK Sitia and the Mountain Guides specialty. The discussion will focus on the importance of mountains for biodiversity conservation, mountain trails and Geosites of the Geopark, the underground world of caves, as well as contemporary sustainability challenges. An open dialogue with students will follow, addressing the mountain ecosystems of Sitia, their problems, and their prospects.
It should also be emphasized that with this initiative, Sitia reaffirms that its natural wealth constitutes a strategic asset. The protection of mountains is not an abstract concept but a prerequisite for a resilient and sustainable future, as highlighted.
