The project “Innovative Action for the prevention of fires in Kythera Island” was implemented by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature and the Institute of the Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems (IMDO) of ELGO-Demetra, and financed by the Green
Fund, Measure “Innovative Actions along with the citizens”. The project started in April 2019 and was initially supposed to last 18 months; however, due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was extended and completed in October 2021.

The project aimed at informing and mobilizing the population of Kythera Island about forest fires. The main objectives were to better prevent and reduce the likelihood of house and settlement disasters through the contribution to the wider fire prevention plan of the island. It consisted of implementing a series of pilot actions in three selected areas of the island.

The innovative characteristic of the project was the interaction with the residents; this is why the emphasis was placed on their participating with their ideas (such as the identification of their own problems or the risks they face) and with practical prevention actions. Fire expert scientists of HSPN and IMDO, who frequently visit the island, were there to contribute to the project as well.

The goal was for the residents to take “possession” of the prevention practices and be willing to continue the actions even after the project ended. It was necessary for the actions to be implemented at that specific period, as the big fire of August 2017 was very recent and the people were more interested and cautious.

The project “Innovative Action for the prevention of fires in Kythera Island” was part of a wider program of HSPN “The Trip for the Regeneration of Kythera has started…”. The program focused on the restoration of the island after the fire of 2017, implemented by HSPN in collaboration with the Kythera and Antikythera Domestic Property Committee and with the Institute of the Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems of ELGO-Demetra. The project activities consisted of: awareness raising events, coastline and underwater cleanups, cleanup of the Mylopotamos ravine, tree planting, collection and processing of cedar seeds
(phoenician juniper), as well as the involvement of the school community through student painting competitions for fire prevention. The local society, the student community as well as many other social bodies were actively present in all of the activities.

The program’s activities included: awareness-raising events, beach and seabed cleanups, cleaning of the Mylopotamos stream, targeted tree planting, collection and processing of cedar seeds (Phoenician juniper), as well as involving the school community through student painting competitions focused on fire prevention. All activities saw active participation from the local community, the student body, and many other organizations.