In June 2023, a week-long science event will be held on the Sarandaporos River, which is one of the main tributaries of Aoos/Vjosa. The event, organized by Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (MedINA), aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the last large free-flowing river in Europe.
The Aoos/Vjosa river runs through northwestern Greece and southwestern Albania, with the first 80 kilometers in Greece and the remaining 192 kilometers in Albania. It remains untouched by human interference, making it the only wild river in Europe. In March 2023, it was designated as Europe’s first wild river national park.
The main goal of this science week is to study and understand the biodiversity of the rivers in order to better protect them. European volunteer scientists from seven countries, five research centers, and 17 universities will collaborate to collect data on the ecosystem. This event supports the idea of a Transboundary Wild River Park in Europe, along the Greek-Albanian border, to safeguard the entire Aoos area including its streams and tributaries like Sarandaporos.
Despite protections put in place by Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy that designated part of Aoos as Protected Natural Formation and Protected Landscape in 2023, threats such as potential dam construction and hydroelectric plant installations near Sarandaporos continue to endanger the ecosystem. It is essential for supporters of this event to advocate for increased protection of Aoos River ecosystem to ensure its preservation for future generations.
