Establishment of the 1st Phenological Garden of Greece in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

TOPIC:

Initiative

Establishment of the 1st Phenological Garden of Greece in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)

SUBMITTED FROM:

Building on 120 years of industry experience, TITAN cement company S.A. is one of the leading producers of cement, ready mix concrete, aggregates and ready mix dry mortars in Greece with 64 production and distribution facilities. TITAN cement company S.A. is a member of TITAN Cement Group, who serves customers in 25 countries, in four continents. In a world of increasing complexity, we are adapting and evolving to serve the needs of society, while contributing to sustainable growth with responsibility and integrity.

Objective Action

A key objective of the program is to leverage academic expertise to better assess the importance of urban green in climate change mitigation and CO2 sequestration dynamics.

In addition, the implementation of the program is expected to contribute to the development and pilot implementation of a strategic installation and management of urban green spaces, both public and private, with a view to maximizing their positive impact in adapting to climate change and also in the evolution of the philosophy of the management of urban green spaces.

Finally, LIFE CliVUT will provide both decision-making centers and citizens with the opportunity to better understand the urban ecosystem, the conditions for the growth of trees in it, the concept of biodiversity and the importance of their rational management for sustainability and resilience of cities, through educational and participatory actions.

Target Audience

- Employees

- Local societies

- Pupils - Students

- Young people

- Society as a whole

Duration

Over 10 years.

Description

The first Phenological Garden was established at the facilities of the TITAN Factory in Efkarpia, one of the three created for the first time in Greece and in the metropolitan urban complex of Thessaloniki, within the framework of the LIFE CliVUT - Climate value of urban trees program (LIFE18 GIC/IT/ 001217), from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The TITAN Factory, in the context of its cooperation with the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of AUTH, committed by signing a relevant Memorandum of Cooperation an area of 2,500 sq.m. within the factory premises, in which 100 trees and shrubs of 20 different species were planted, 5 per species. The Phenological Garden of the TITAN Factory will be used for research and educational purposes, both during the program and after it ends. Thus, for a period of at least 10 years, biological data will be recorded in a systematic way, which correlate the time of manifestation of the various functional phases of plant growth in the annual cycle, with the prevailing climatic conditions. Recording the data will contribute to the knowledge about climate change, its effects and prevention. At the same time, the implementation of educational programs for school students is planned in order, through experiential participation in the recording activity, to strengthen their knowledge and awareness towards urban greenery and its role in urban space. Accordingly, good practices will be implemented and new educational methods and experiential activities will be developed for children and adolescents

The LIFE CliVUT program is coordinated for Greece by the Forestry Laboratory of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Press release: https://www.titan.gr/el/newsroom/nea-kai-deltia-typou/neo?item=1557

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Impact on Society

The main objectives of the program are:

a) to improve the adaptive capacity of urban ecosystems,

b) to maximize the climate change impact potential of private urban green spaces;

c) to strengthen the natural elements and characteristics within the urban areas, which will favor the protection and enhancement of biodiversity,

d) to involve all interested parties, involved bodies, and even citizens both in the planning and implementation of strategies related to climate change and the management of urban green spaces,

e) to include business factors in the development of these strategies,

f) to test good practices and develop new education methods, to raise awareness among children and adolescents.

Initiative Location

Thessaloniki

Working with Organization

1. LIFE CliVUT European Union

2. Department of Forestry and Natural Environment AUTH

3. Also partners of the program are the University of Perugia (Università degli Studi di Perugia - Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile ed Ambientale), the Municipalities of Bologna and Perugia, the Italian CESAR Institute (Centro per lo Sviluppo Agricolo e Rurale) and the Portuguese ISG Institute (Instituto Superior de Gestão, ENSINUS-Estudos Superiores SA).

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