Rising From The Ashes

Ancient Olympia

When the 2007 fires reached Ancient Olympia, a city dating back as far as 900 BC, many feared for the historic relics there, among them ancient ruins and statues, the temples of Zeus and Hera, the Stadium, the Olympic Academy, and the archaeological museum. While firefighters were able to save most of the ruins, thousands of trees were lost and several historic sites left endangered. The Hill of Kronos, sacred to Zeus’ father Kronos and overlooking the Olympic site, was completely engulfed in flames. The original Olympic games were held there in Kronos’ honor in 776 BC; prehistoric religious rituals and oracles also took place there. Also extensively damaged was the Olympic Academy Grove, which contains the marble altar, or stele, under which is buried the heart of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the contemporary Olympics. The first runner in the Olympic torch relay  pauses at the stele  to honor the Olympics’ modern founder as well as its ancient ones.
The damage in Ancient Olympia does more than simply detract from its beauty and tourism appeal. Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. Without replacing the many trees lost, the ruins could be at risk, perhaps irreparably so. By helping to reforest Olympia and restore it to its original glory, American Forests and Plant Your Roots in Greece ensure that this place of invaluable history and culture will be preserved for centuries more.

Mount Taygetos

Mount Taygetos is famous not for what used to be there but for what is there now. This haven of biodiversity is home to more than 130 species of animals, 30 of them rare or endangered, and 160 species of native plants, 21 of which are found nowhere else in the world.
After the 2007 fires, however, this important ecological site is in jeopardy.
At 7212 feet high and 25 miles long, Taygetos is the largest mountain in the Peloponnese, the southernmost portion of mainland Greece; animal fossils nearly 2 million years old have been found there. When flames swept through nearly 28,000 acres of Taygetos, they scattered wildlife and devoured forests of black pine and Grecian fir that covered the mountain.
Even now, the total ecological consequences are unknown. Many native plants were diminished to the point of near extinction. Animals were killed or lost their habitat, including the golden jackal, which while declining in India and Africa was considered a safe population in Greece. The fires, scientists fear, may have changed that.
Greece is home to 75 percent of the world’s population of Eleonora’s falcon, an elegant bird of prey that migrates to Taygetos in April and remains there until October. The fires destroyed many of the trees in its habitat and drove away much of its prey. Other species threatened by the fires include the Peloponnese wall lizard, lesser kestrel, Corsican red deer, and eastern imperial eagle. A rare breed of butterfly, the Taygetos blue, exists only on Mount Taygetos, living among the many plant species endemic to the area. All have been threatened by the fires in the Peloponnese, and only by replacing what we can of this once-glorious ecosystem can we hope to make progress towards restoring Taygetos. 
The reforestation efforts by Global ReLeaf and Plant Your Roots in Greece are an important step in repairing some of the damage caused by the 2007 wildfires. In time, with the combined efforts of those around the world who are willing to donate time and money to the cause, we can restore other fire-torn parts of Greece to their previous state, making them once again places of history, ecological wonder, and natural beauty.
Individuals and businesses that wish to contribute to Global ReLeaf may do so through American Forests’ website (www.americanforests.org) or by calling 800/368-5748.—Katrina Ierardi

It’s a big undertaking. Trees comprise a fourth of the world’s plant species, and some estimate there could be upwards of 100,000 species of trees in existence. Scientists worldwide have been invited to contribute, bringing total participation to over 40 different organizations. Adding to the complexity: The same section of DNA must be taken from every sample to allow for accurate cross-species comparisons. The project is estimated to take up to two years to complete.

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