PRESS RELEASE Greek Caves and Bats: a project towards good management

In the beginning of September 2018 LIFE-Nature "Greek Caves and Bats: Management Actions and Change of Attitudes", LIFE17 NAT/GR/000522 - LIFE GRECABAT, was launched.

Its goal is to inform the public about cave animals, implement new monitoring systems and promote integrated cave management.

The project will last for 4.5 years (01/09/2018 - 28/02/2023) and is co-funded by the European Commission's (LIFE) financial instrument (EC/EASME). Beneficiary Coordinator is the University of Crete - Natural History Museum of Crete (UoC). Co-beneficiaries are: (1) Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE), (2) Green Fund, (3) Hellenic Institute of Speleological Research (HISR) and (4) ATEPE Ecosystem Management Ltd (ATEPE).

The project will implement conservation actions in 10 areas of the NATURA 2000 Network (from Crete to Evros) and will also inform and train the related stakeholders. It aims to improve the conservation status of 10 bat species (species of Community interest, Annexes II-IV of Directive 92/43/EEC) and selected caves (Habitats Type 8310, Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC), while helping the survival of the unique cave life (dozens of endemic species of insects and other invertebrates live in one or more caves of Greece).

It is the first nationwide effort to manage, protect and promote bats, caves and cave life. It is intended to be an example of their integrated management at national level.

The project will:

• implement a series of demonstrative conservation actions in 10 areas of the NATURA 2000 network.
• place advanced monitoring and early warning systems for caves and cavernous life in 3 selected sites.
• build an original, low-cost, standalone digital recording device for environmental parameters to monitor the caves.
• strengthen the legal framework for protection and management by drawing up National Action Plans for caves and the selected species.
• will set up "cave microreserves" (selection, marking, institutionalization).
• inform and train the stakeholders involved (government agencies, local authorities, caving clubs, entrepreneurs, landowners, etc.) to adopt a cave- and bat-friendly attitude according to the legislation.
• organize a network of volunteers to monitor, protect and manage the caves and other bat shelters.
• inform and raise public awareness of the ecological importance of bats, caves and cave life, the legal framework for their protection and the impact of human activities.
• develop guidelines/specifications for proper exploitation, highlighting new opportunities for business activities compatible with the conservation of natural heritage in the caves.