August meeting recap

KG Meeting - August 2026
Date: 11am-12noon, Wednesday 19th August 2026
Location: Philharmonic (upstairs), Potamos

Alex Bourn called the meeting to order 11:10 AM and welcomed the participants. Project updates were first on the agenda

The Fire Patrol update was presented by John Stathatos. He pointed out that while the group was originally organized for study, it turned into an active effort to help. The patrols are held during periods of extreme fire danger from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Crucial public routes are covered with volunteers committed to their work for those periods. The patrols are not for firefighting, they are solely for observation to assist the Fire Brigade. On July 30th the call came for help and lasted 3 days. There were 14 members plus a couple of static positions. On the 8th of August, volunteers served an entire week during level 4 fire conditions. There were 10 active members who spent a total of 150 hours, some between 2:00 and 5:00 and 11:00 and 4:00. Fortunately, there were no fires. A letter of thanks to the volunteers was sent by the Fire Brigade.

The question was asked about who established the areas for each of thevolunteers. John replied that he looked at the people available to identify their locations and he filled in any gaps. It became obvious that some high points on the island were good for static viewing. Such locations will be used as stop off points in the future for a period of 10 or 15 minutes for observation. A participant recommended a vote of thanks to the fire patrol volunteers and to John.

A report was presented on the summer party by Sonya Pemberton. She thanked all who had been involved, particularly Pat Kaufman for all of the work on the food. The party raised about €1050. Alex and Sophie Martin were thanked for the use of their property for the party. Alex replied that the team was great and that it was a lovey experience for them. Alex Bourn reported that Kythera Green now has one thousand euros in hand to fund additional projects.

A report on the cleanup efforts was given by Alex. Four or five beaches were cleaned and coordination was established with the OFYPEKA in Kythera. Roadside cleanup is planned for the end of September or the beginning of October, considering safety and temperature. Sonya suggested that the cleanups include a social at the end of each cleanup.

Pia Betton said we should acknowledge how good the winter talks were on Zoom and that they were a good way for the group to stay connected over the winter. Pat Kaufman said that the YouTube views of the talks were very good. She said we owe thanks to all including Alex, John, and Dean. Pat also mentioned the botanists who helped with the Alosianika pond.

Masha mentioned that the beach cleanup in Diakoftii still needs help and that anyone who can should go. Michael Karamonof suggested that an emergency team should be created as the reaction time to such incidents has been poor. It is possible that the Port Authority with the main responsibility does not have anyone senior enough to launch rescues quickly. Alex asked Michael to sketch out what might be needed for such emergency help and to see if we could contribute in any way. The discussion concerned the recent crash of a boat onto the rocks of Diakofti which was left for 12 to 24 hours, leading to its breakup.

The small fire danger signs which started to be posted after last summer's fire were a positive development according to Yannis T. Yannis was in Kalamata over the winter and observed that they were doing large coloured signs with fire levels updated daily. He suggested that these could be placed on Kythera as a complement to other existing fire detection efforts.

He stated that the big signs are piano size with an estimated cost of maybe €500. It was suggested that as many as six locations could include the airport, the ferry port, the fire department locations and in various towns.

The Plastics Campaign for 2027 was covered by Yannis and Sonya. The aim is to lower the use of plastics across the island. Sonya pointed out that Amie has done a plastic reduction program in the US which could be replicated here. Signs work well to reinforce the concept that the use ofplastics can be substantially reduced. The problem of the illegal use of plastic bags in the recycling bins was discussed with the need for education. It was suggested that a contest be held with high school students to create flyers/posters to explain legal rules for recycling. Signs could be posted in markets recommending the use of paper bags for produce. Comments were made about the poor bin pickup service in the summer. The bins are overwhelmed in the summer with the influx of visitors. There was some confusion about whether the recycled items were actually recycled or not.

Masha Zusman suggested that Kythera Green seek more coordination with other local groups to find ways where we can help them. Examples would be groups like Portakalia and the Philharmoniki. It was noted that local residents consider members of Kythera Green as foreigners not involved in local activities and with views contrary to those of local residents. But members of Kythera Green can be proud and can help in areas with specific synergies. It was suggested that we need a new overview of the local organizations.

Lastly, the Steering Committee was discussed. Of the group of six for the current year, four have resigned. One resigned some months ago so the three who recently stepped down were asked for their comments. Sonya Pemberton stated that she was proud of the work done over the past two years. However, she felt that the committee had become dysfunctional and unable to collaborate as a team. She believes that new blood in the Steering Committee will be required. Pia Betton felt that time had been spent on the wrong things and had three recommendations for the future. 1) Positive communications are needed. 2) Diversity in the group can facilitate discussions in a positive way for better collaboration. 3) There is a need for a code of conduct, how to handle communications and conflicts, how to focus on what is good for Kythera Green. Masha Zusman resigned for different reasons as she was not involved full time. But she was inspired by the aims and said that the committee needed to work together with everyone active and offering different qualities. She was asked what qualities? The answer: teamwork, no ownership of ideas and a safe environment to present ideas. Three minds are better than one mind. In the discussion which followed, a number of comments were made. One opined that the committee started out very well but a rift developed which could not be resolved by the group. Another pointed out that the group started out strong and accomplished much while providing focus. Another said the committee should be purely administrative with the ability to disseminate information and coordinate individual groups. The group was different a year ago compared to today.

Alex proposed that the size of the committee be established and asked for votes on size. Some preferred five while others preferred three plus two auxiliary members. The majority preferred three plus two, the three delegating to sub groups. Alex reviewed a list of different specialties required including: social media, treasury/finance, liaison with the greater group, reserve power when the greater group is scattered over the winter. Alex will put out a call for nominations for the Steering Committee for the one year period. Kythera Green members will be informed of the nominations and whether an election will be necessary.

Members on fire protection control

During the three-day period Thursday to Saturday 30/7-1/8, the General Secretariat for Climate Crisis placed Kythera in category 4 (orange) of particularly high fire risk. Following the invitation of the authorities and in continuous consultation with the island's Fire Brigade as well as with the Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection Yiannis Katsanevakis.

This initiative will continue throughout the summer whenever the risk forecast reaches high risk or alert levels. A huge thank you to everyone who share our love of the island and participated in the patrol!

If you wish to participate in future fire patrols, please sign up to the dedicated WhatsApp group for coordination.

What a wondeful party!

On 14 July 2026, we opened the doors to our first Kythera Green Fundraiser Party. Honestly, we didn't know what to expect—but thanks to everyone who joined us, donated, contributed prizes, prepared, presented, entertained, volunteered, and hosted, the evening was a great success!

For the first time, Kythera Green now has funding for future projects, and we can't wait to start turning ideas into action.

At our next face-to-face meeting in August, we'll begin discussing and planning projects for the coming season.

Thursday June 25th, a dozen members of Kythera Green, hopped onto a dinghy and joined the team from Project Manaia (https://projectmanaia.at) on their research vessel SY Waya Waya. We spent some time meeting and being enthused by all the current volunteers as we exchanged pleasantries, ideas and war stories. Mia Pavic, from the project presented a graphic account of the scale and impact of plastics, particularly micro plastics on our oceans, ocean life and everything further up the food chain (including humans). She informed us of the activities of Project Manaia, and others, to deal with some of the impacts of ocean plastic pollution. It was a fabulous experience which we all gained a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm from and we wish them well. We look forward to future activities when they are in Kythera again.

Project Manaia

Saturday 13. June, first 2026 face-to-face Meeting in Potamos

It was a warm and inspiring gathering, attended by many members from across the island.

The Steering Committee presented the significant developments and achievements of the past winter, including our partnership with NECCA to support beach clean-up initiatives and our new collaboration with Project Mania to help protect our oceans. We also celebrated the launch of the Kythera Green website at kytheragreen.org and highlighted that recordings of the Winter Talks series are available on our YouTube channel: @KytheraGreen.

Minutes from the meeting has been posted on our WhatsApp group.

Beach Clean-up, Limni Beach Paliopoli

Kythera Green Winter Talks: Land Ownership on Kythera, Sophia Tektonidou & Pavlos-Marinos Delladetsimas

To join the Zoom presentation, click on this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87558122366?pwd=UKrHUClJZaHQSs5upJzDhEZB1P7q7j.1

A timely and highly relevant presentation of a subject of fundamental importance to all those living on Kythera. The unique institution of the Enchorios Periousia, with its significant actual and potential influence over the island’s environment, society and economy, is examined by two professional researchers with extensive knowledge of the subject.

Unlike most of Greece, where land is typically classified as either private or state-owned, land on the island which is neither private nor explicitly public belongs to the Enchorios Periousia or Domestic Estate of Kythira (DEK): a shared resource held collectively by and on behalf of the local community. Administered by a local board, the DEK aims to serve the common good of the island’s residents. But to what extent does it achieve this aim today? This presentation explores how the DEK functions in practice, focusing on the relationship between state structures and local community dynamics. It examines both the challenges that may undermine the institution and the opportunities that could strengthen its role for the future.

Sofia Tektonidou is an Athens-based architect. Her research explores the social meaning of space and alternative forms of collective governance. She is a researcher in the DOMINIA project, which examines commons-based models of land ownership and governance beyond the traditional private–public divide.

Pavlos – Marinos Delladetsimas is an Emeritus Professor at Harokopio University, Department of Geography. He has worked at the National Technical University of Athens and the University of the Aegean, and is a coordinator of the “DOMINIA” research program.

Monday 27 April at 17.00

Winter Talk

Join us to spend a few hours cleaning one of Kythera's beautiful beaches for debris from the winter storms

17.00 at Limni Beach. We meet at the entrance to the beach, opposite from Hotel Skandeia

Please bring your own gloves. Plastic bags will be available. Don't forget something to drink and snacks.

Sunday 26 April at 20.00 EET – Zoom

info@kytheragreen.org

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