On the weekend of September 13–14, Aspropotamos once again echoed with voices, laughter, and stories, as it hosted two days of experiential activities organized by the Bear-Smart Community, within the framework of the LIFE Bear-Smart Corridors project.
The gathering sought to nurture a deeper understanding and acceptance of the brown bear, to emphasize the importance of preventing habituation behaviors — such as leaving fruit near or inside villages or failing to carefully manage waste that may attract bears — and to highlight the value of harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. This was done not through lectures, but through direct encounters with the land, the forest, and the local communities that keep this mountain landscape alive.
On Saturday, in collaboration with the Mountaineering – Skiing Club of Trikala (SOXT), an educational hike set out from Chaliki along a section of the newly created “Trail of Coexistence.” Participants walked through forested slopes and open meadows, searching for signs of wildlife and mapping fruit-bearing trees, a vital food source for the brown bear. Along the way, the group paused for conversations about conflict prevention, the role of local communities, and the importance of ecological connectivity for the survival of biodiversity.
Sunday’s activities took place in Kranea Aspropotamos, in collaboration with the village’s Cultural Association, and were woven into the annual Cornelian Cherry Festival. Here, a gastronomic workshop invited people of all ages to cook with wild fruits of the area. Guided by the creativity of chef Alexis Panagiotopoulos, participants prepared cornelian cherry liqueur, tasted local recipes, and shared reflections on rural life — on leaving and returning, and on the urgent need to rebuild bonds of trust and care between people and their land. Food became the thread that unraveled stories, memories, and lived experiences of the region, linking the conservation of wildlife with the vitality of local production.
The festival also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Cultural Association of Kranea, which became the 12th member of the Bear-Smart Community. Meanwhile, the University of Thessaly presented the #RESPECT label — an initiative encouraging local businesses to actively contribute to the protection of wildlife and biodiversity by adopting practices that combine nature conservation with sustainable development.
Heartfelt thanks go to all who took part and contributed their knowledge, hospitality, and energy, making this two-day gathering truly memorable. Special gratitude is extended to the Mountaineering – Skiing Club of Trikala, invaluable companions on these trails, to the Cultural Association of Kranea for their creative partnership, and to chef Alexis Panagiotopoulos for his inspiration and guidance during the workshop. Thanks also to the team of KENAKAP for their role in organizing the event, to our colleagues from the University of Thessaly for their vital presence, and to the residents of Kranea and Chaliki for their warm welcome and their willingness to share their stories, knowledge, and way of life.
The weekend was a reminder that nature conservation cannot be separated from people and the places they inhabit. Coexistence is not an abstract concept but a daily practice of care, collaboration, and mutual respect. Experiences like these show that there is still space to rebuild relationships of trust between humans and the natural world — and that the path to a sustainable future for rural areas runs through the voices and active participation of local communities.
