Non-Profit Organization
Founded in
2004
Address
Mitropoleos 123, Thessaloniki, TK 54621
info@callisto.gr , communication@callisto.gr
Phone number
2310 252530
Webpage
Organization's page in other social networks
https://www.facebook.com/callisto.gr
Description of the organization
CALLISTO is a Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society, created in 2004 by scientists with more than 30 years of experience in environmental research and management. The main objectives and action lines of the organization are to protect and preserve the natural environment and natural resources as commons. CALLISTO focuses on the sustainable coexistence of man and wildlife, emphasizing in 4 species of carnivores (bear, wolf, jackal, lynx) and their habitats covering a wide range of mountainous and semi-mountainous ecosystems in the country. CALLISTO studies, protects and manages the populations and habitats of large carnivores and other threatened species of wildlife while addressing the conservation of wildlife in our country, in the light of the overall need to maintain ecological balance. In 2018, the organization was awarded, in two pan-European competitions, the 'Natura 2000 Awards' and the 'Best of the Best LIFE projects' for its participation in the LIFE ARCTOS KASTORIA project.
CALLISTO is also represented in the Large Carnivores Initiative for Europe (LCIE / IUCN Working Group) and in IENE (Infra Eco Network Europe), a pan-European network of specialized agencies and organizations to address issues related to transport infrastructure and natural ecosystems. In addition, the organization attaches great importance to the transfer of know-how and good practices to relevant public services and bodies (Forestry, Local Government, National Parks, etc.). CALLISTO also maintains a permanent collaboration with Academic Institutions (Universities, Research Institutes) promoting applied scientific knowledge and research, as well as with students at different levels. Among other things, CALLISTO also functions officially as a host of students who conduct their internships.
CALLISTO places great emphasis on the implementation of management measures that effectively improve the conditions of coexistence between man and wildlife by the dissemination and implementation of targeted and specialized preventive measures or mechanisms such as the provision of live fences and sheep dogs (to reduce damage to the rural economy ), the operation of Immediate Intervention Teams (to deal with emergencies, bear-man interactions), the adoption of measures to prevent road accidents involving road traffic accidents wildlife (such Egnatia Road).
In addition to its activities in the countryside, CALLISTO disseminates the results of their work and messages through educational programs for children and adults through information-awareness campaigns and the organization of volunteer programs in Athens, Thessaloniki but in the countryside .
Thanks to the work of their staff members, volunteers and partners, CALLISTO has contributed to several important achievements for Nature:
- The effective protection of the Network of Protected Areas (such as NATURA 2000) and ""ecological corridors"" connecting them.
-The establishment of the Bear Emergency Team (BET), which intervenes whenever a wild animal is in danger.
- The creation of the National Action Plan for the Bear.
Actions that the organisation has organised or in which it has actively participated
LIFE AMYBEAR
LIFE AMYBEAR
At the end of 2021, the LIFE AMYBEAR project was completed. The main objective of the project was to improve the conditions of human -bear coexistence in the Municipalities of Amyntaio and Florina. In more details, objectives achieved were the following:
• The maintenance of anthropogenic mortality of the population at sustainable levels, which should not exceed 6% of the brown bear population in the project area.
• Improving the level of acceptance of specific groups of people regarding their coexistence with the brown bear.
• Improving the recognition of the added value of the brown bear in relation to the attractiveness of the project area.
• The strengthening of the operational capacity of the personnel of the competent organizations for the management of human-bear interaction incidents.
LIFE BEAR SMART CORRIDORS
LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors, in which CALLISTO participates as a partner, aims to ""Strengthen the sustainability of the Brown Bear in Central Italy and Greece through the development of coexistence corridors"". It started in March 2022 and is expected to last five years.
The ""LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors"" will support the development of a network of ""bear smart"" communities. In Greece, two communities of ""smart"" coexistence with the bear will be developed, one in the Municipality of Amyntaio and one in the municipalities of Trikala & Kalambaka.
The practice of ""Bear Smart"" Communities began in British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada, where a large number of black bears live (about 140,000-160,000 individuals). In these vast areas of North America, many communities have felt the need to protect bears with an approach aimed at coexistence and reducing human-bear conflicts. Thus, the good practices created by locals were soon accepted by public bodies, both local and regional, as well as the sanctions for those who do not follow these practices. The implementation of these practices was evaluated as successful as it significantly reduced the anthropogenic killing of bears and thus the Greek partners of the LIFE Bear Smart Corridors project will try to implement it in our country as well.
THE ROAD IS CO-EXISTENCE
The goal of the project ""The Road is Co-existence"" was the development of four innovative actions concerning the information and awareness of the citizens of the Western Macedonia region to limit the impact of road axes on protected species of wild fauna, and especially on the brown bear.
To achieve this goal, a documentary was created, to inform and raise public awareness of the effects of traffic accidents on the preservation of biodiversity, an innovative
electronic application (mobile app) was developed for smartphones and tablets, ""Roadcoex"", which contains interactive information material and uses gamification elements to motivate users to explore the application's tools. In addition, participatory workshops were organized in collaboration with organizations and informal groups of civil society to record the attitudes and opinions of the residents of the region of Western Macedonia and their mobilization in efforts to limit-eliminate the relevant threats to wildlife.
Video link from actions of the organization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvjq5JiKZI&t=60s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx50CipOpG8&t=4s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fvpR3F0ZfY&t=10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn5u1d7WJKU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZIXhjRZk_g
Volunteering opportunities provided by the organization.
Τogether with the volunteers, we plan actions that respond to the specific needs of each intervention area and respect the local community. Actions that t go beyond the limits of a simple ""internship"". Actions that include all of us and all who are willing to contribute, regardless of age or education, ethnicity or language.
SUMMER PROGRAMMES OF CALLISTO
Almost every summer, in important mountain biotopes, volunteers of all ages, together with the CALLISTO team and in cooperation with the local community, implement forest protection programmes, collaborate in research on the nature and history of the area, plan and implement creative interventions in the field, inform visitors and producers, help to monitor the Protected Areas.
Ιn the Rhodope Mountains, Grammos or the mountains of Grevena, we invite you to participate together in the effort to protect nature!
Duration: 1 to 2 weeks. The finalisation of the implementation of the summer volunteer programmes takes place every year between April and June.
PUBLIC AWARENESS EVENTS
In the context of informing and raising public awareness, we participate every year in many events with the aim of informing young and old about large carnivorous animals and the dangers that threaten them.
AT THE OFFICE
Callisto would appreciate any help we could get from volunteers with office work. More specifically, we need people who would like to help with communication, organization of visits to schools and children's libraries (Environmental Education), contacts with volunteers in other cities, graphic design, photography and more. Get in touch with us to see what matches your interests! You can participate all year-round.
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