The Natural History Museum of Crete in collaboration with the Hellenic Mountaineering Association celebrated the World Mountain Day on December 11, 2017.

More than 85 nature lovers, climbers, cavers and canyoners participated in the event, which included photo presentations of Cretan mountains, documentary viewing and lectures on the ecosystems, the flora and the fauna of Cretan mountains.

In this context LIFE Natura Themis participated in the celebration with the oral presentation: "Mountain activities and protection of the mountain environment". During the presentation a brief reference to the project and its results took place. With indicative photographs from all over the island, the serious problem of environmental degradation in the Cretan Mountains has been presented to mountaineers. Particular reference to the legal status of the NATURA 2000 protected areas and the good practices of recreational activities in the countryside were also made.

The lecture was completed with the presentation of the application for smart devices that produced and operated by the project, encouraging the participants to use it when they walk around the island.

The realistic photographic depiction of environmental violations in the Cretan Mountains has prompted an interesting debate at the end of the event.