Participation of LIFE Natura2000Value Crete in the 53rd World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)

The 53rd World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) was held in Turin Italy between the 20th and 22nd of April 2016. “Tasting the Landscape” was the title of the Congress in which at least 1300 participants had been preregistered.

Ms. Maria Sakellari, scientific cooperator of the University of Crete and Ms. Maria Kozyraki, coordinator of LIFE on behalf of the Decentralized Administration Authority of Crete, participated in the Turin Congress and presented the completed actions of the LIFE13 INF/GR/000188 (LIFE Natura2000Value Crete) project at the “Connected Landscapes” thematic topic which also included presentations about the ecosystem services.

The presentation, in the form of a poster, was entitled “Landscape services of Natura 2000 areas in Crete: a survey on local stakeholders' perceptions” and was introduced to the Congress with a brief speech on Friday the 22nd of April. The interest for the research presented was very vivid as it regards a study field ­the economic value and the dynamics for services of the protected natural areas­ that is at an early stage for Landscape Architecture and Environmental planning.

As it was the unique participation of a Greek work team in the World Congress, the presentation attracted the interest and attention for the LIFE project as well as for the per se uniqueness of the biodiversity and aesthetics of the Natura 2000 areas in Crete, giving awareness of the authorities and institutions involved in the implementation of the project.