The idea

Development without human intervention.

At a time when living organisms are disappearing at an alarming rate, especially through habitat destruction, the Park for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna of the Technical University of Crete, which extends to 30 hectares, constitutes a small but important area where native plants and co-existing animals are protected and can develop without human intervention.

The idea of creating a Park in Akrotiri, within the property of the Technical University of Crete, was conceived in 1994 by the former rector of the University, Professor Yannis Phillis. He designed and developed the Park in the next decade with the partial support of the Pancretan Association of America and inaugurated it in 2004. Yannis Phillis was the director of the Park from 1994 to 2017.

In 2007, Yannis Phillis received an award from the Academy of Athens in recognition of the creation and the environmental impact of the Park.

It is hoped that the Park for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna of the Technical University of Crete, beyond its direct objectives, will serve as an example for other public and private organizations, as to the importance of initiatives to protect the environment.

In the past the area was used for grazing and farming, activities that continued long after the Technical University of Crete acquired the land. In 1994 the land was fenced and access was prohibited to hunters, shepherds and plant collectors, and since then the area has been protected.

At present only the olive grove is cultivated by all natural methods.

Pictures from our collection: