Papastratos also greens Penteli – The second phase of the major reforestation program began

The company Papastratos confirms its practical commitment to contribute to the environment, which is why last Wednesday it took another voluntary action to reforest – this time – in the municipality of Pentelis. 150 people of the company as volunteers symbolically planted the first 800 trees, thus contributing to restoring the burned areas destroyed by the fires about three years ago. At a special event in Pigi Karakanta, in Penteli, Attica, Papastratos celebrated the month of the Forests and the Water and marking the beginning of the second phase of the great Reforestation Program implemented in the region, in the presence of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr.Theodoros Skylakis. At the same time, the President and CEO of Papastratos, George Margonis, the General Director of Communication and Sustainability of the company, Themi Hasiotis, as well as the Director General for Forestry and Forestry, Vangelis Goudufas, was found. With the trees on hand, wearing gloves and having chaps with them, they climbed the hill, in order to contribute to the regeneration of the forest. It is worth noting that the horizon of action is 2026 with the total planting of 35,000 trees in the wider area. 35,000 trees in Agios Stefanos It is recalled, of course, that during the first phase of the programme, two years ago, in the framework of the company’s great initiative to give fresh air to the natural environment, while the work was continuous since, apart from planting, it concerned cleaning burnt areas, care and watering of new trees. It is also worth pointing out that this was the first programme that started in Greece after the devastating fires of 2021, as part of the foundation of the Contractor Reforestation. But because of the prolonged heat in the summer of 2023, some 8,000 trees from the above were dried up, despite their intensive care, which, of course, were immediately replaced. This fact, moreover, proves in practice both the flexibility and the commitment of the company to the effective implementation of the project and its absolute commitment to re-establish forest where there was forest. 70,000 trees in 1,000 acres At the same time, in Hippostate State, the second area originally chosen, nature reserved a pleasant surprise. There began the natural regeneration of the burned forest, resulting in the actions of the program directed to the Municipality of Penteli, Attica and to an area of 500 acres. It is therefore clear that the above two actions of the programme are aimed primarily at restoring the natural environment of Attica, with the company, in addition to planting trees, taking full care of them by 2026. Therefore, work progresses rapidly and is crowned with success, as it is a comprehensive reforestation programme rather than a mere tree planting. It is noted that this project, amounting to EUR 1 million, is part of the company’s wider Sustainable Development Strategy, which includes planting a total of 70,000 trees in 1,000 acres of fire-stricken areas of Attica. To date 50% of the programme has been completed, with the external project assessor having consulted that its implementation has been done, following good reforestation practices. For the successful implementation of the Programme, the relevant scientific group has already prepared the necessary reforestation studies with the approval of the Directorate-General for Forestry of the Ministry of the Environment. The main criterion of success of all energy is the survival rate of new trees. Papastratos’ goal is at least 75% of the trees that will be planted to survive, a high percentage that requires scientific guidance, constant monitoring and constant care of the reforested areas. On the occasion of the beginning of the second phase of the Reforestation Programme, the President and CEO of Papastratos, Mr. George Margonis, said: “In Papastratos we have learned to respond by actions to the major problems ahead. This is what we have done and continue to this day, through the integrated reafforestation programme that we have been implementing since December 2021. We do not stand idly by the incalculable environmental disaster that affects the core of our ecosystem. Today, all together, the people of Papastratos, planted the first trees in the Municipality Pentelis, aiming to give fresh air to the natural environment. ” For his part, Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr.Theodoros Skylakis said: “The mountains in Attica are the “breather” from which we all breathe in the area. We have difficult years ahead, as we will experience increased temperatures and great dangers from heat waves, which will encourage the development of fires. That is why we should work alongside afforestation and new afforestation – especially Attica. We combine coniferous trees with broadleaves, which are more resistant to fires. Every tree we plant works like carbon deposition. Our aim is for the forests of Attica to be managed again. These days we entrust management studies for all forests and in summer we will have the implementation of the competitions with which they will be managed. At the same time, we create anti-fire zones and implement cleanups, with emphasis on the settlements of Attica. But we have decades to build wrong and mix construction with the forest. These practices are no longer forgiven in today’s day. We must be much more careful, for our children and for our grandchildren. ”