Two actions in Kalabaka and Pyli focusing on local community participation in the protection of geosites
Through two different yet complementary actions in Kalabaka and Pyli, the Meteora–Pyli Geopark is marking World Cleanup Day (20 September), highlighting the importance of active local community participation in protecting the area’s natural, geological and cultural heritage.
On Sunday, 20 September 2026, the Geopark will take part in the “6th Festival of Traditional Dances and Cultural Events of the Associations of the Municipality of Meteora”, to be held in the courtyard of the 1st Primary School of Kalabaka at 7:00 p.m., where it will present the “Adopt a Geosite” initiative.
As part of the event, cultural and dance associations from across the Municipality of Meteora will be invited to join the initiative and strengthen their connection with the places they represent, actively contributing to the protection and promotion of their local geosites.
The initiative is based on the idea that a place’s cultural heritage is inseparably linked to the natural and geological landscape within which local communities have developed and shaped their identity.
Associations participating in the initiative will be able to take an active role in activities related to the cleaning, monitoring and promotion of geosites, while also acting as Geopark Ambassadors within their local communities.
In this way, knowledge about the area’s geological and natural heritage is shared with the wider community through local people themselves. At the same time, participating associations will be promoted as partners and supporters of the Geopark, with their voluntary contribution being recognised and acknowledged.
The “Adopt a Geosite” initiative aims to establish a lasting network of cooperation between the Geopark and local cultural associations, strengthening the active involvement of local communities in caring for and protecting our shared heritage.
The second action will take place on Monday, 21 September 2026, in Pyli, in cooperation with the Municipality of Pyli and the Directorate of Primary Education of Trikala, with the participation of pupils from the 5th and 6th grades of Pyli Primary School.
The pupils will visit the riverside area near the stone bridge of Agios Vissarion, in the Portaikos Valley, where representatives of the Geopark will introduce them to the value of geosites, the importance of protecting the natural environment, and the need to keep natural and cultural monuments clean and protected.
The educational activity will be combined with a symbolic voluntary clean-up of the riverside area by the pupils, giving them the opportunity to take an active role and understand in practice the importance of personal responsibility, cooperation and care for their local environment.
Through this action, the Geopark aims not only to inform but also to raise awareness among the younger generation about the protection of geosites and the environment, fostering from an early age a relationship based on knowledge, respect and active participation.
Although the two actions are addressed to different groups within the local community, they share a common goal: to turn awareness into participation and knowledge of the local area into both personal and collective responsibility for its care and protection.
