VILLA NEO, KASSIOPI, (AGIOS SPYRIDON BEACH),CORFU

Antinioti is a wetland situated on the northern coast of the island of Kerkyra (Corfu) and is important not least for the threatened Otter species Lutra-lutra, and many rare orchids, as well as the ecological balance of the area. The site is characterized by a variety of habitats and on which human activity has exerted little influence. It is an area of great significance on an island like Kerkyra which is under great pressure from much building construction. The protection and sustainable management of the site can contribute not only to the preservation of wildlife but also to the economic development of the area (fishing, leisure activities, ecotourism etc). The greater the delay in establishing its legal status, the more the threats to the environment will increase. Antinioti wetland has been declared a Natura 2000 Zone, the declared aim of which is to assure the long-term survival of Europes most valuable and threatened species and habitats, and a nature reserve by Greek legislation. However, an administrator of this delicate ecosystem has not yet been legally established. To do so, the main requirement is first to assign specialists to study the ecosystem in order to define the reserve and determine what human intervention / activities / uses of land are allowed within the zones boundaries, and up to what proximity outside the boundaries.