Founding members of EnviFriendly Innovations, Prof. Nikolaidis and Dionissis Efstathiou convened with Dr. Marinos Kritsotakis (Director of Sustainable Development, Region of Crete) and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Protection of Asterousia Mrs. Theano Vrentzou Skordalaki (who is also the former Deputy Regional Governor of Crete), at the Thalori Retreat in the Kapetaniana village of Asterousia Mountain to become familiarised with the area of research, collect soil samples and develop the stakeholder engagement strategy.
Asterousia is part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves and part of “Man and the Biosphere Program”. Part of the visit included soil sampling along the Asterousia-Messara transect for soil organic carbon and nutrient determination.
Visit of Asterousia Mountains and strategic planning on stakeholder engagement with UNESCO’s Asterousia Biosphere Reserve and the Association for the Protection of Asterousia.
Soil sampling along the Asterousia-Messara transect for soil organic carbon and nutrient determination (Oct. 20-21, 2025).
EnviFriendly Innovations had the opportunity to present at the Hybrid Asterousia University 2025 conference titled 'Natural & Cultural Heritage in Biosphere Reserves and Other Designated Areas in the Mediterranean,' organized by the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture, and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) and the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe, with the contribution of the Region of Crete, the Heraklion Development Agency, and the Local Management Committee of Asterousia. The participants include postgraduate students, educators, young scientists, and managers who study or work in existing, candidate, or potential Biosphere Reserves, Geoparks, Natura 2000 areas, Cultural Monuments, and other 'designated' areas.
Participation at Hybrid Asterousia University 2025 Conference Oct 30th, 2025
Prof. Nikolaidis presentation titled “Sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil fertility” explored the relationship between soil fertility and the addition of organic matter to the soil. EnviFriendly Innovations focuses on incorporating WEFE Nexus objectives by proposing a new paradigm to address water scarcity. Smart irrigation, water retention and water harvesting are showing real time results in pilot plots in Messara valley, Crete and the Jordan Valley. The impact to agricultural development of implementing these changes to the pilot sites include water security, increased agricultural production, reduced energy consumption and environmental impacts and improved financial viability of the farmers.
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