News

The Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences & Design (FWSD), on the initiative of several of its members, undertakes on a non-profit basis certain actions, under the general contribution of the University of Thessaly, for the restoration of the forest and rural environment of N. Evia, following the recent devastating forest fires of August 2021, listed below:

  • "Adoption" of a forest area in North Evia by the University of Thessaly. The FWSD Department can contribute to the coordination of restoration actions (cleanings, logging, etc.) in these areas, after an appropriate study. In addition, this area will be able to be utilized through exemplary management for the conduct of research, experiments and the implementation of innovative procedures, as well as information activities, etc. The "adoption" of the area can possibly be implemented with the participation and cooperation of other Institutions , bodies, organizations, etc., with which the University of Thessaly can sign a memorandum of cooperation.
  • The FWSD Department, in collaboration with the Institute of Wood Furniture and Wood Packaging, can also have acoordinating role in an integrated offer management program of wood & furniture industries who already wish to contribute in this direction.
  • Compilation of a study on the utilization of burnt logs to strengthen the local economy and use them by the Greek wood industries for the production of electricity and wood products, as the trees have been killed by the fire but only superficially burned. Of course, a part of them will be used to create trellises and wooden dams for the anti-flood projects in the areas affected by the fires.
  • Compilation of a study on the reconstitution of extensive livestock farming (inventory of the present situation, short- and medium-term re-planning of grazing, reconstitution of grasslands, finding areas for grazing e.g. by creating municipal dry pastures, etc.). Corresponding studies can be done on resin production and beekeeping in collaboration with other Departments of University of Thessaly.
  • Compilation of a studycreating agroforestry systems(agroforestry, forestry, agroforestry) for the multifunctional management and utilization of agricultural and forest space.
  • Providing know-how to produce suitable planting material for the restoration of forest ecosystems (collection of seeds from trees in the area / preliminary seed manipulations for the production of transplanted material / preliminary manipulations of seedlings to increase transplanting success. Ecosystem approaches to restoring areas.
  • Proposal for planning national and international Conferencesin North Evia from any School or Department of the University of Athens, but also in collaboration with other Departments/Universities/Research Centers/other agencies, so that through conference tourism the local economy.
  • Collection of essential items for fire victims, under the auspices of the University of Thessaly and also collection of money from members of the academic community and students and alumni in a special bank account that will be created by the University of Thessaly for the provision of substantial assistance and a specific public benefit purpose (to be determined in cooperation with the Municipalities of North Evia).
  • Within the framework of the memorandum of understanding and cooperation signed in 2019 between the Municipality of Istiaea-Edipsos and the University of Thessaly, it is proposed to activate actions in matters of protection and management of the natural and built environment, climate change, local development, etc. .

We are at the disposal of the University of Thessaly to carry out our above actions on a non-profit basis, but also to contribute to others with colleagues from other Departments of the University of Thessaly, in order to contribute substantially to the restoration of the disasters of North Evia and to the support of the local community.

13.8.2021

THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

PROFESSOR IOANNIS PAPADOPOULOS

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