Case Study

Creation of an educational botanical garden in the Mt. Hymettus Aesthetic Forest

Contact name

Sophia Stathatou & Nikos Pangas

Institution name

Philodasiki Enossi Athinon

Region & country

Attica - Greece

Summary

‘Philodassiki’ has created and maintains Mt. Hymettus Aesthetic Forest and supports actions for the improvement of environmental education, focused mainly on flora. In order to meet the needs of its numerous visitors and school groups for a fuller awareness and the execution of various educational programs in an experiential context, Philodassiki has established an Educational Botanical Garden in an area of the forest accessible to the public. This garden has been designed so that it may cover mainly educational needs. It hosts one hundred species of herbs and plants that are used for perfume, medicinal, culinary or coloring purposes, and is open to the public during morning hours.

Philodassiki Botanical. Garden

Photo by: Philodassiki Enossi Athinon

Old stone steps carefully mended

Photo by: Philodassiki Enossi Athinon

Photo by: Philodassiki Enossi Athinon

Small ponds created

Photo by: Philodassiki Enossi Athinon

Educational programs for numerous visitors and school groups

Background of the project

The Botanical Garden of Philodassiki inaugurated in 1964 and hosts 500 rare and endangered species of the rich Greek flora. It is situated in a closed ravine in the Hymettus Aesthetic Forest, traversed by a narrow path and is to be visited by small groups of people only under special arrangement. The pressure by organized groups especially interested in the flora or the needs of school groups for the creation of educational projects in the forest was not possible to be covered by the Garden.

Inhabitants of the city, apart from recreation, regard the surrounding forest as a space where they may come into touch with nature and learn about, and discover their natural environment. Philodassiki, further to its efforts to preserve and promote of Greek flora, contributes to society by providing the possibility of both individual visitors and school classes to experience our country’s natural wealth. All pertinent actions are always met with the gratitude and applause of the public.

Solution and actions taken

We have proceeded to the creation of this garden in an area easily accessible to the public which in the past was used as a plant nursery. The garden has been drawn in such a way that it may facilitate the undertaking of educational projects by both ‘Philodassiki’ itself as well as independent organized groups. In the garden, there are two spaces providing cover from rain or the sun. The garden is operated as an accessory part of the Philodassiki Botanical Garden and can be visited during morning hours

At first, the area of intervention has been confined and cleared of any remnants of the old nursery, while the demarcation was renewed. According to the plan of the new garden, the old stone steps were then carefully mended, small ponds were created, the flowerbeds were circumscribed and a watering system installed. Following which, plants were planted and gradually marked by appropriate sign –boards. ‘Philodassiki’ is actually in train of composing original projects for groups of school-children

Other institutions or parties involved

Planning of the new Educational Botanical Garden was executed by the staff responsible for planning, organizing, and preservation of the Botanical Garden, whereas the scientific responsibility belongs to the scientific partner of ‘Philodassiki’, who specializes in Systematic Botany. For the creation of the Garden, we have contacted a private institution, which has financed our works in two installments

Results

The Educational Botanical Garden has been operative for a very short while, and therefore its function cannot yet be properly evaluated. Nevertheless, a wonderful garden has now taken the place of a decrepit tree nursery.

Challenges

All problems were of a practical nature and had to do with matters like fencing, the presence of old trees, that had to be removed in order to allow for the necessary to the new plants’ growth sunlight to reach them, the installation of watering system, and last but not least, with the proper designing of flower beds for hosting the selected plants in the best possible displaying mode.

Lessons learned

Any effort for multiple offers toward society should be constant and take various forms, by adapting to the specific needs of every period of time. Society’s many and enduring needs have to be met with simple and effective solutions. The creation of this garden offers to its visitors, and especially to school-children the possibility to get to know their country’s important flora. Besides, the Garden constitutes a protection pole of biodiversity

Contact name

Sophia Stathatou & Nikos Pangas

Institution name

Philodasiki Enossi Athinon

Website(s)

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