Thursday 14 January 2010

Palms at Preveli

Thanks to someone living near Preveli we have established that the palms there are still in good condition. They will be monitored to ensure that they do not start to show signs of attack by the weevil. Good news so far!

Wednesday 13 January 2010

More info

Entries for the exhibition should be notified to julia@flowersofcrete.info by the 1st March 2010. Hanging will be 2nd and 3rd May with the exhibition running from 4th to 8th May. The cost of entering is 20 euros per work with a commission fee of 10% on any item sold. This money will go towards the work of Flowers of Crete and the cost of mounting the exhibition. Works can be in any medium except photography, which is the subject of a separate competition entitled The Flowers and Funghi of Europe. Works should be no large than 1 metre by 1.5 metres. Photos of the work should be submitted with the application to me - julia@flowersofcrete.info. Please contact me if you need any further information.

Flowers of Crete Art Exhibition

The exhibition will be held in the Exhibition Area at the Greek Orthodox Academy at Kolymbari. The work can be in any medium except photography, which is subject to a separate competition entitled The Flowers and Funghi of Europe. The title of the art exhibition is The Flowers of Crete.

The exhibition and photographic competition display will be open to those attending the Conference - mainly botanists and scientists from around the world, and also to the general public. Any artist wishing to attend the exhibition and would like to stay at the Academy, can book a room. Prices start at around 55 euros a night, but accommodation will be limited as delegates to the conference will also be needing accommodation.

Thank you so much for your help. The conference is being held under the auspices of the international organisation PlantaEuropa and it is the very first time that art has been incorporated in a scientific conference in this way. Flowers of Crete has arranged these events as a way of involving the public and it would be wonderful to make it a great success. It will also provide a great showcase for the artists of Crete and give an opportunity for us to show our commitment to the environment of Crete.

Sunday 3 January 2010

Translation from Patris on Cretan Palm

In a meeting on Vai
After the discovery of the "P" for the disaster - the initiative of Secretary of State Michael. Karchimaki

On the issue of measures to preserve the palm forest at Vai and other clusters of palm trees in Crete by the beetle, intervened yesterday by Secretary for Rural Development Michael Karchimakis. In a letter to the Secretary General of the Region of Crete Thanasis Karountzo Mr Karchimakis proposes to convene immediately a meeting involving all the co-authorities and agencies to start now coordinated efforts to save the palm of Crete. In his letter Mr. Karchimaki to Mr Karountzo stated:

"Over the last four years Crete faces a serious problem for the invasion of the insect Rynchoforos, which spread rapidly from area to area destroying palm trees.

The bug is based on both plant health legislation of the European Union, as Ms. corresponding Greek designated insect quarantine and requires immediate remedy it.

Unfortunately, all these years, the measures taken were insufficient, resulting in the destruction of the palm to spread rapidly and now threaten to contamination in integrated network NATURA, Vai palm.

The fact that the palm trees on Crete are an integral part of the aesthetic and a major investment, and adorn the public parks, beaches, homes and hotels on the island. In addition, the Palm Vai is a tourist destination unparalleled beauty of Crete and rare environmental value for the planet.

We therefore directly and closely all stakeholders to look at the problem, giving a final solution to the gradual destruction of these historic trees. So he finds it necessary to ask you to arrange a joint meeting of the Region of Crete on the treatment of aggressive insect Rynchoforos and protection of the Palm Beach Vai in Lasithi, and any other native palm island.

Given your sensitivity to environmental issues and cultural history of Crete, thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward to your reply.



Geotechnical Chamber of Intervention

Meanwhile, the issue involved and the Crete Branch of the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece. As announced yesterday, the last meeting of the Steering Committee Annex "approved the proposal drafted by a group of members of the Geotechnical Chamber and decided the proposal be forwarded directly to the political leadership of the Ministries of Rural Development and Environment, the Secretary General of the Region of Crete and 4 prefects of the island. In the Prefect Prefect and the Chamber will seek a special meeting to inform them in more detail on the proposal submitted.