If you have already visited one or more of the Ionian islands you will know that they all have a precious, natural environment and a fragile infrastructure.
At Ionian Villas we are aware that the more visitors we help to bring to the islands, the bigger the impact on their environment and infrastructure.
We believe that it is in everyone’s interest to help to protect and manage each island’s natural health for the benefit of future generations of islanders and for future visitors.
The Watrous family have been involved in Ionian life for the past 60 years, personally and professionally. We try to have a balanced philosophy of give and take but there are times when our views on protecting the environment can appear to be patronising.
Some years ago we helped to set up Plastic Free Paxos but ran into practical hurdles. Since then we have been talking to the Ionian Environment Foundation and we now feel that they have the best resources and experience to take up the baton with greater effect.
We have established a formal partnership with the Ionian Environment Foundation, a pioneering environmental charity dedicated to protect and conserve the Ionian environment.The IEF is a member of Conservation Collective, a global network of local foundations funding effective grassroots conservation initiatives to protect and restore nature.The IEF was established by friends of the Ionian Islands in 2019 to support and nurture local environmental initiatives dedicated to protecting and restoring the outstanding natural beauty of these islands and the seas around them. To date they have funded 18 impactful projects across the Ionian Region and their reach is growing.
For more information about the Ionian Environment Foundation and their key areas of concern and their projects click HERE.
To find out more about Conservation Collective click HERE.
The IEF works hard to ensure that even small amounts of money can have maximum impact.
For example:
£1,500 grant supports setting up one new Green Corner on Corfu (community managed recycling centre) to help address the issue of poor waste management.
€2,500 grant supports replicating the educational programme Waste Action Awareness Week to another Ionian island with the aim of addressing the problem of single use plastics and excessive waste production at the source.
€5,300 supports monk seal identification and habitat mapping to ensure this endangered species found in the Ionian archipelago is monitored, documented and protected.
€2,500 supports the provision of biodiversity posters and teaching resources to Corfu’s 8000 primary school children to inspire interest and concern for conservation at a young age.
€10,000 supports mapping and analysis of Posidonia Meadows to document the value of these carbon sinks and promote their protection and conservation.
We are asking for your help with the IEF’s goals to help the Ionian islanders protect their environment and to improve the hope of sustainability. You can make a donation by visiting the IEF website.