On 22 July, around 50 people joined the LIFE Oroklini project partners for a special occasion, an Open Day for Oroklini Lake. The event began with birdwatching at Oroklini Lake and people were excited to see Flamingos, Spur-winged Lapwings, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises and many other species through telescopes and binoculars!

Radio Proto covered the event with a two-hour live link at Oroklini Lake. The live link was organised together with another LIFE project implemented in Cyprus, BIOforLife. The live link gave information on Oroklini Lake, its birds, as well as information on the threats migratory birds face, with a focus on the ‘ampelopoulia’ issue. 

The event continued with short talks at the Voroklini Community Council amphitheatre, where Nikos Kassinis, the LIFE Oroklini Project Director, from the Game and Fauna Service, gave a talk on the Natura 2000 network and the need for management of sites, while Melpo Apostolidou, the Project Coordinator from BirdLife Cyprus, presented the project progress and successes. Afterwards, the participants gave their feedback on the project implementation as well as their vision for the future of Oroklini Lake. Participants also filled in a questionnaire which showed a very positive feedback. Specifically, the 32 questionnaires received showed that:

- 100% of those questioned believe that the LIFE Oroklini project has addressed the conservation issues Oroklini Lake was facing (human disturbance to birds, lack of water management, expanding of acacia trees, lack of awareness raising for the importance of the wetland). Half of them believe that the issues were addressed to a high level.

- 100% of those questioned believe that as a result of the LIFE Oroklini project, Oroklini Lake can contribute in raising public awareness in the future. 71% of them believe that the project can contribute to a high level.

- 100% of those questioned believe that the LIFE Oroklini project has transformed the area to a point where Oroklini Lake adds significant value to the wider area. 74% of them believe that the project has added value to a high level.

- Only 6% have never used any of the visitor facilities created as part of the LIFE Oroklini project (birdwatching hide, information kiosk, information boards).

- 97% of those who had visited Oroklini Lake before would definitely recommend a visit at Oroklini Lake to others.

In general, the project received very good comments and people seem to enjoy this nature site. Other comments received will be considered by the project partners. 

This Open Day was the third and last one organised as part of the LIFE Oroklini. However, Oroklini Lake and its visitor facilities are there and the public is free to visit the site at any time!

A big thank you to the Voroklini Community Council for organising the event, to all who joined the event, to BIOforLife for the cooperation, as well as Radio Proto for the live link at the lake!

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