This project is funded by the Green Fund under the programme “Natural Environment and Climate Neutrality 2024” — Axis AP.2 Innovative Actions with Citizens.
This project is funded by the Beneficiary: Cyclades Preservation Fund
Co-beneficiary: Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems Institute (ELGO “DIMITRA”)
The Challenge
The Butterflies Valley of Paros is one of the most important ecotopes in the Cyclades and a seasonal refuge for the Jersey Tiger Moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria). This area, part of the Natura 2000 network (code GR4220016), is famous for the thousands of Jersey Tiger Moths gathering each summer in its lush, shady ravine.
However, in recent years, the moth population has been threatened by the impacts of climate change: reduced water availability and humidity, rising temperatures, lengthening of the hot and dry season, and loss of vegetation.
The Solution
The Cyclades Preservation Fund, with financing from the Green Fund, is launching an initiative to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the Butterflies Valley — by preserving the micro-climate and strengthening the ecosystem, which likely are the key factors that have attracted the moths to the valley for decades.
Project goals and objectives
- Stabilize the micro-climatic and hydrological conditions that sustain the population of Euplagia quadripunctaria.
- Improve water management through modernization of the water storage and irrigation system.
- Increase plant cover and stabilize the micro-climate by planting native plant species preferred by the moth, grown from local seeds and cuttings.
- Pilot innovative moistening measures, including a misting system.
- Conduct on-site ecological surveys and compile a scientific report on habitat trends and requirements, along with recommendations for next steps.
- Inform and raise awareness among the local community, island visitors, and the general public about the importance of preserving this precious and vulnerable ecosystem.
More info
See the project Timeline and Recent Actions
Contact Elena Symeonidou, Consultant for Land Programs – [email protected]
Timeline
2024
Our collaboration with the Butterflies Valley Reserve in Paros began in the summer of 2024 with the donation of a vermicomposter for recycling kitchen scraps from the on-site café.
That summer we discovered the magic of this unique habitat that hosts the Jersey tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria), along with rich biodiversity, ancient trees, and a plethora of animals that find shelter there—protected from heat, drought, and the intense summer activity on a tourist destination like Paros island.
The Reserve owners shared their growing concerns as fewer moths arrive each summer at this seasonal gathering site. We promised to return with proposals and solutions.
2025
We met in spring, carrying out pilot plantings of native species and consulting for site preparation before opening to visitors (pruning, maintaining leaf litter and low vegetation as ground cover).
Together with the owners and our scientific advisors, we developed a plan to improve hydrological and microclimatic conditions and began seeking resources for its implementation.
July
We visited the site with our scientific advisor, entomologist Panos V. Petrakis from the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems (IMFE), to assess the moth population and the supporting ecosystem, and to discuss priority habitat-protection measures.
We were guided throughout by Kostas and Mantalena Gravaris, the long-time custodians of the Reserve.
September
With funding from the Greek Green Fund, we launched the planning of the first interventions, with the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems (IMFE) as co-beneficiary and entomologist Spyros Mantzoukas as project lead.
October
We revisited the site with IMFE forest scientist Valia Daskalakou, guided again by Kostas Gravaris.
We returned with officers from the Management Unit of the Central Aegean Protected Areas (NECCA) for an in-depth discussion on the factors affecting the wider protected area of the Paros Butterflies (a Natura 2000 site).
Later that day, we held a kick-off coordination meeting at the Municipality of Paros with project partners and allies. Participants included Deputy Mayor of Urban Planning Simos Varias; Varvara Glynou from the Department of Environmental Planning, Agricultural Development and Greenery; Dionysia Giannakoulopoulou, Zoi Mylona and Anastasia Naxaki from NECCA; Reserve owners Kostas and Mantalena Gravaris; and CPF project lead Elena Symeonidou. Joining online from IMFE were Valia Daskalakou, Spyros Mantzoukas and Panos Petrakis.
We are optimistic that, with our dedicated partners and allies, this project will contribute to the study, understanding, promotion and protection of this rare and vulnerable ecosystem at the heart of the Cyclades.
