The University of Crete – Natural History Museum of Crete (UoC – NHMC) celebrated the European day for the NATURA 2000 Network and the LIFE's 25th Anniversary, on Sunday, May 21, 2017. The event took place at the Gre Lesca mountain reserve and the Information Centre of Lefka Ori National Park.

After a long rehabilitation four wild birds (Gyps fulvus) were released in the presence of locals and local authorities at the Gre Lesca mountain reserve. After that, the Cretan Canine Team Against Poisoned Baits performed a demonstration of detection of poisoned baits (an action under the “Innovative Actions Against Poisoned Baits – After-LIFE project” that the UoC – NHMC implements).

The event continued at the Information Centre of Lefka Ori National Park, where a documentary screening about the ecosystem services and a photo exhibition with photos of Cretan landscapes and Cretan NATURA 2000 sites (produced by the LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete project) were presented. Also several creative activities for children were organized.

The event was organized by the UoC – NHMC, Coordinating Beneficiary of the projects LIFE Natura2000 Value Crete (LIFE13 INF/GR/000188) and LIFE Natura Themis (LIFE14/GIE/GR/000026), in cooperation with its Associated Beneficiaries, the Management Body of the Samaria National Park (the only Management Body of a protected area existing in Crete) and the Hellenic Wildlife Care Association ANIMA.