Two-day technical workshop on invasive species

A two-day technical workshop on invasive species within the framework of the LIFE ATIAS project was successfully concluded in the city of Kastoria. The workshop, organized by the Hunting Federation of Macedonia – Thrace (KOMATH), in collaboration with the Eurosite group of which it is a member, took place from September 12th to 14th, 2023. Specialists in invasive species from both Greece and abroad participated in the event.

Eurosite is the largest pan-European network of organizations that play a role in both public authorities and private or other non-governmental organizations. It focuses on promoting practical initiatives for the management of the natural environment in Europe. Founded in 1989, Eurosite includes 56 member organizations from 21 European countries. Through Eurosite, positive examples of nature protection are promoted, and collaboration among members is developed for the exchange of ideas and resources.

During the workshop, information was presented regarding the actions of the Life ATIAS program, as well as tools and methods for managing invasive species in general. Representatives from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.), the University of Oxford, and other organizations such as CERTED, FACE – the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, the European Commission (DG Joint Research Center and DG Environment) also participated and spoke.

Two working groups were formed during the workshop to discuss: 1. Biodiversity and IAS management and 2. Legislative Framework and Stakeholder Engagement, respectively. On the final day, a field trip was organized on the floated platforms installed at various points in Lake Kastoria as part of the LIFE ATIAS project, aiming to track and capture American minks.

The program of the conference can be found at the following link: LIFE ATIAS Program. 

In the attached photo, you can see Mr. Kyriakos Skordas, General Director of the Hunting Federation of Macedonia – Thrace, MSc in Forestry and Environmental Management, standing next to one of these floating platforms mentioned above.