News Release: World Environment Day οrganised by the Municipality of Heraklion and the Natural History Museum of Crete

Celebrating World Environment Day is highly valued by the United Nations, as it contributes to the raising of awareness considering environmental issues. It also promotes action-taking as it instills environmental consciousness to the citizens and the institutions in order to maintain, improve and protect the environment.

On the occasion of the World Environment Day (5th of June), the Department of Environment of the Municipality of Heraklion and the University of Crete - Natural History Museum of Crete, will co-organise a series of events in the Loggia on Tuesday, the 6th of June, 2017.

This year’s events are dedicated to the campaign to reduce consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags (European Directive 2015/720).

On Tuesday, the 6th of June, 2017, the Municipality of Heraklion will provide handbags that aim to replace the lightweight plastic carrier bags in everyday life. The distribution of the handbags will start at 11.00 am. At the same time, an exhibition of paintings from high school students themed “Environment and Climate Change” will take place along with a photo exhibition of the Natural History Museum of Crete entitled “Protected Areas of the NATURA 2000 Network of Crete”.

After 19.00 pm, the documentary “NATURA 2000 - Life for All” which was produced in the context of the project LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete, will be displayed. Executives and collaborators of the Municipality of Heraklion and the Natural History Museum of Crete will be present in order to inform the public on environmental issues and distribute material concerning the NATURA 2000 protected areas, the ecosystems and the benefits people get from the protection of the natural resources, the threats and crimes against the environment, wildlife and the society.

Later on the same day, the Town Hall will be illuminated accordingly.

Following these events, voluntary embellishment actions will take place in Nea Alikarnassos on the 8th of June, 2017.

This event is supported by LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete, LIFE Natura Themis and Innovative Actions Against Illegal Use of Poisoned Bates - Project After - LIFE, and the Leventis Foundation.