The nature of Evros embraced 158 participants through the five Sunday excursions organized by the SPBT the spring of 2025. Titled “Sundays with Nature”, this initiative highlighted the need for reconnection with the natural environment through hands-on experiences in the fire-affected areas of Evros prefecture.

The five excursions, which took place from March to June, aimed at cultivating ecological awareness, highlighting the natural regeneration of the fire-affected areas and strengthening the human-nature relationship. Participants had the opportunity to get to know beautiful natural sites of Dadia, Avantas, Lyra, Soufli and Lefkimmi, not necessarily famous and known to everyone, by exploring paths, wetlands, fields, observing birds of prey and smaller representatives of the avifauna and interacting with nature through their senses.

Highlights from the actions:

• The Burnt Land Regenerates - Dadia (23 March)
  Participants had the opportunity to observe the natural regeneration of the forest after the catastrophic fires and learn about the ecosystem recovery processes. We also saw ways of measuring the age of trees.
• Our Forest, Our Future – Avantas (April 6)
  Visitors explored the rich ecosystem of the forest and had the opportunity to learn about the vital importance of caring for nature in human life.
• Raptor Safari - Lyra (13 April)
  The observation of birds of prey was one of the most impressive moments of the activity. Participants had the opportunity to see the wonderful birds of prey of the region up close and learn about the importance of their conservation.
• The Gifts of Rural Nature to People - Soufli (4 May)
  This excursion focused on the agricultural and natural heritage of the region, highlighting the role of rural nature in our everyday life. We had the opportunity to listen to people who come into direct contact with rural nature such as a vine grower, beekeeper and winemaker and enjoyed a tour of a local winery! 
• Discovering the Forest with my Senses - Lefkimmi (1 June)
  The last excursion was a unique experience of interacting with the natural environment, using our senses to discover the secrets of the forest. We visited the fossil information centre where we got important information for our subsequent tour.

The response of the people exceeded expectations: 106 participants completed questionnaires and said that the activities offered them peace, relaxation and an inner connection with the environment. When asked if they would organize an excursion to their own place, they mentioned their desire to introduce the world to the Evros Delta, Bara Pentalofos, Agioi Theodoroi, Leptokarya, the Tsingla forest, Hot Water in Fylakto, Ardas and Platanotopos Alexandroupolis. Their words were moving through messages they wrote about the nature of Evros:

“Nature is being reborn but the nature of Evros is not as famous as it should be”,

“The nature of Evros needs our protection”,

“We are going strong to be reborn”.

“All together to keep nature alive”.

Most of them promised themselves that they would make more excursions in Evros to learn about its nature and the current history of their place. Three participants were awarded for their participation in 4 out of 5 Sundays with nature with an impressive feather!

It was a unique experience of regeneration for us as well, receiving this feedback from the participants proving that the goal of promoting ecological awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment of Thrace was a success!