ABSTRACT
The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN) is the oldest national environmental NGO in Greece, operating continuously since 1951 for the protection of nature. When HSPN became Blue Flag National Operator in Greece, in 1992, it focused on ensuring growth of the program by addressing the many early challenges. HSPN has frequently used Blue Flag as a tool to achieve its conservation targets and to support acceptance and application of environmental regulations and policies in the coastal zone, like the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/ΕEC) and the requirements of the Habitats Directive (92/43/ΕEC) for the protection of species and habitats. Recently, HSPN has involved its national and the international Blue Flag networks in projects to protect a unique natural resource, Posidonia oceanica, an endemic Mediterranean seagrass that provides a multitude of benefits for the littoral zone. According to the results of the projects, HSPN is proposing an update of the relevant Blue Flag criteria.
