Judges, lawyers, members of environmental NGOs, biologists, students and individuals (sixty in total) participated in the a training seminar "Environmental Law and Environmental NGOs" organized by the University of Crete - Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC), on Saturday, March 11 2017.

The seminar was implemented under the ”LIFE Natura Themis“ project (LIFE14 / GIE / GR / 000026). It was intended to give an opportunity to the members of environmental organizations to learn about environmental legislation and the possibilities for a more efficient management of environmental degradation cases through actions that implement in their efforts to protect the environment and the natural resources.

Allies in this endeavor were the Bar Associations of Heraklion and Chania, which through their speakers analyzed the complicated legal procedures to be followed in instances of environmental arbitrariness. The invited lecturers gave answers to questions; presented useful tools that will enable citizens and services in addressing environmental offenses; and gave directions for handling cases relating to the interests of environmental NGOs.

The program of the seminar, except the ten legal and environmental presentations, also included the conducting of two case study exercises, in which participants were divided into two groups and were asked to face a real and a fantastic incident of environmental degradation/loss.

The development of the seminar, with the fruitful debate and the exchange of views among participants, showed that the goal of the action was achieved.