The island chain of Lipsi presents the dynamics of a case study for the development of an “Outdoor Natural Heritage Museum” along with hiking and cycling trails. This is the proposal currently maturing with the cooperation of the Municipality of Lipsi and DAFNI Network. This proposal is going to be submitted for funding from CLLD Leader, the development tool of the Local Development Initiative of Local Communities (TAPTOK).
Lipsi and the surrounding islands have a remarkable natural environment with excellent habitats and populations of important species. Typically, this island chain offers shelter to the Monachus monachus seal, the Caretta caretta sea turtle and the Falco eleonore. From a geological point of view, navigating the coastline offers a scientific interpretation of the sinking of Aegis. Towards this direction, there is a new project of international importance, which aims at establishing a “Natural Sea Refuge”, a work undertaken by the “Archipelagos” Institute of Marine Conservation. A Marine Animal Hospital will be created consisting of land and marine installations, to care for wounded or sick animals and allowing them to recover in natural, semi-free conditions.
DAFNI’s multidisciplinary team, headed by Georgia Kanellopoulou, Sustainable Tourism Consultant, has been in the area in order to record the development potential and opportunities towards this direction. Initially, based on the deliverable for project “Mapping the Hiking Trails of Lipsi”, it was possible to record the marking and work required to better organise the hiking network. Then, the area of Skafi Mount was surveyed with the valuable help knowledge of Mr. Angelis, for the purpose of drawing mountain bike paths. The idea was given by the Mayor himself, Fotis Maggos, after Boat and Bike boat of Island Hopping visited the island. This company is organising trips to islands that are ideal for mountain biking.
Furthermore, the Municipality’s demographic and sociological characteristics were reviewed, indicating that the population is not particularly aged as would be expected in geographically isolated areas. Finally, there was a visit and tour to the winery of Lipsi, since planning is going to include the Wine Roads, highlighting the winemaking and wine-growing tradition in Lipsi.
We sincerely thank Fotis Maggos, Mayor of Lipsi, for the unique hospitality, Thodoris Tsimpidis, Director of “Archipelagos”, for the information on how the Institute’s activities have been progressing, Evangelos (Angelis) Kairis for accompanying us to our mountain outing and finally all the inhabitants of the island who would welcome us every single morning without knowing us, an indication of the easy going nature of the people of Lipsi.
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