GREEK WILDLIFE ALLIANCE

The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...

Greece, owing to its pronounced relief with mountains and islands, its climatic diversity, geological history and the long presence of man, has, despite its small size, an impressively rich and unique biodiversity, characterized by high endemism.

From the Egyptian vulture in Thrace, to the loggerhead turtle in Zakynthos, from bats in Greece’s caves, to the sperm whales in the Hellenic Trench, and from the endemic fish species in Prespa to the Balkan chamois in the Vardousia Mountains, our country hosts a plethora of known and lesser known, charismatic and ecologically important species. Despite Greece’s commitment for the prevention of national biodiversity loss, up until today, the goals set for the protection of the majority of the species, protected species included, are insufficient, while the required measures for the conservation of the species and their habitats, have not yet been established.

THE ALLIANCE

The Greek Wildlife Alliance is a unique, collaborative initiative of 11 environmental Non-Governmental Organizations, operating since 2022, under the coordination and with the support of WWF Greece, for the effective protection of Greece’s iconic species.

27.000

animal species have been recorded in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems of Greece, while the total number is estimated to reach 50,000 species

environmental Non-Governmental Organizations participate in the initiative

programs are being implemented within the framework of the initiative

By combining the experience and expertise of its member organizations, the Alliance constitutes a strong partnership, envisioning the well-being of wildlife and humans, aimimng to conserve our natural wealth for future generations.

GOAL 01

Increase the management effectiveness of terrestrial and marine protected areas -with a focus on targeted species hotspots- and the inclusion of key conservation measures in all relevant management plans.

GOAL 02

Improve wildlife stewardship and rehabilitation: facilitate and increase stakeholder engagement in the planning and implementation of management activities, especially in protected areas.

GOAL 03

Promote human-wildlife coexistence with collective and collaborative actions across communities, authorities, and the business sector to co-create and implement solutions.

GOAL 04

Mitigate anthropogenic threats to species, including unintentional catches in fisheries, wildlife trade etc. Increase the integration between economic and business sectors, and species’ conservation.

GOAL 05

Increase knowledge in applied research to promote assessment of threats and the development of effective conservation measures, especially for less known species.

Using the Greek Wildlife Alliance as a vehicle, the Greek environmental NGOs, which have played for decades a key role in advancing species’ and habitats’ conservation, are now expanding their actions and magnifying their impact.

Member organizations

WWF GREECE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE ALLIANCE

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

The scholarship program is run in cooperation with the Hellenic Zoological Society and the Societas Hellenica Herpetologica, for the promotion of applied research. It aims to increase knowledge regarding the threats, population presence and status, especially of lesser-known species.

IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF ECOLOGICAL CORRIDORS

The main objective of the program is to identify and map ecological corridors of the mainland forested protected areas, as well as the ecological corridors for the red deer and the Balkan chamois, at a specific spatial scale, using modern satellite methods.

ANALYSIS OF ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE IN GREECE

Commission of a research project on the illegal trade of species (the first of its kind in Greece, since 1992), encompassing both animals and plants, within the country. The aim is to shed light on the magnitude of the problem and unveil various largely unknown aspects, as well as to raise awareness among relevant authorities, organizations, and the general public.

REDUCING SPERM WHALE COLLISIONS WITH SHIPS IN THE HELLENIC TRENCH

A WWF Greece program, in collaboration with IFAW, Ocean Care, and Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, consisting of advocacy actions, aiming at the protection of sperm whales, through leveraging commitments by the shipping industry, and implementation of legislative measures, according to the existing legal framework for the protection of the species.

PROMOTING COEXISTENCE BETWEEN FISHERS AND MARINE MEGAFAUNA

Program for the reduction of bycatch of vulnerable species, and promotion of the coexistence between fishers and marine megafauna, through advocacy actions for a national compensation scheme. The scheme should cover damage to small-scale fishers' equipment and loss of income due to interactions with cetaceans.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF GYAROS MPA

Program for the consolidation of the effective in situ management of the Gyaros Marine Protected Area, through advocacy actions and interventions, aiming at the survival and recovery of the monk seal.

STRENGTHENING CETACEAN RESEARCH IN THE HELLENIC TRENCH WITH THE WWF “BLUE PANDA” VESSEL

A WWF “Blue Panda” mission in collaboration with TETHYS Research Institute, aiming to gain further knowledge on vulnerable and/or understudied cetacean species inhabiting the Hellenic Trench. The program further aims to raise awareness on the species and the threats they face, as well as on the ecological value of the Hellenic Trench, and advocate for the establishment and adoption of area-based management measures.

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON LOGGERHEAD TURTLES

A WWF Greece program in collaboration with MEDASSET, for the reduction of the impacts of bycatch and plastic pollution on sea turtles Caretta caretta in Zakynthos, through monitoring, assessment, restoration, public awareness and stakeholder involvement (fishermen, tour operators, students).

RAPID ASSESSMENTS OF LOGGERHEAD TURTLE NESTING SITES

A WWF Greece program, in collaboration with ARCHELON, aiming to contribute to the implementation of the National Action Plan for Caretta caretta in Greece (Government Gazette B3678/10.08.2021), by conducting rapid assessments of the conservation status of the species’ nesting areas (general status, threats and pressures), examining the main parameters affecting it (e.g. development, barriers, other disturbances, light pollution, etc.)

Learn more about the “Greek Wildlife Alliance” at greekwildlifealliance.gr and on Instagram.