Volunteering in Katerini: Giving a day of my summer to the forest 2037

Date start: 01 May 2023

Date end: 30 Sep 2023

In the forest areas around Mount Olympus, the green lung of our region, the immediate detection and extinguishing of possible sources of fire before they spread and become uncontrollable is of the utmost importance. This is why, every summer since 2007, we organize the close observation of the forest in two daily shifts to detect possible threats for spreading fire. From an observation tower strategically placed at the beach, volunteers that have booked a shift online on our platform watch out for possible threats (smoke) and notify the cooperating local fire brigade immediately. This way, 20 to 30 potentially catastrophic fires are prevented every year. Next to the immediate positive outcome (no fires), the project thus promotes civil engagement and solidarity by giving citizens with no special education the opportunity, structure, place and support to act on the shared responsibility for the environment and volunteer for an activity with a positive impact for everyone.