Greek Paths of Culture: Reimagining Ancient Trails in the Rhodope Mountains

The Rhodope Mountains are a medium-sized mountain range located in northern Thrace along the Greek and Bulgarian border. Long politically and biologically isolated, the area has been recognized to be one of the most biodiverse regions in the Western Palearctic. However, despite the high biological value and due to isolation and a lack of expertise and funds, this area still lacks any significant ecotourism development. To assist local communities in advancing their sustainable development goals, we developed educational and outreach materials for the Greek Paths of Culture project which has been spearheaded by the Greek Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (GSECH). The aim is to help cultivate among hikers and nature lovers a public interest for an ancient and well-preserved network of trails traversing the Rhodope mountains. These walking paths are an ideal way to promote ecotourism in the area as they provide a way for hikers to engage with the cultural heritage of the region while also enjoying its tremendous biodiversity. Our team built out biological information for an app that can be used by visitors to navigate the area and developed extensive educational materials which will serve to inform both locals and tourists about the history of the region. These deliverables contribute a new element to the already existing conservation development effort and highlight the importance of preserving cultural and environmental history in rural Greece.Master of ScienceSchool for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167373/3/Hellenic_Society_P10.pd