Elafonisos NATURA 2000
Simos beach belongs to the NATURA 2000 network
Elafonisos has a spectacular wealth of flora and fauna which is confirmed by its inclusion to the European network of protected areas NATURA 2000.
The wetland of Strogyli and the sand dunes of Simos beach house a large variety of unique endemic species. The sand dunes of Simos beach are very sensitive ecosystems, with a loose sandy substrate kept in place by sparse vegetation.
Characteristic plants found in Elafonisos are the Ammophila (Ammophila arenara), the Agatha (Eryngium maritimum) and an endangered Sea Lily (Pancratium maritimum). The Ammophila can be found on top of a sandy mound while the lily of the sea has an underground bulb and appears sporadically in groups of plants.
The sand dunes are held together by the permanent vegetative cover of herbaceous and woody plants that enrich the sandy soil with organic matter.
Another area of interest is located in front of the wetland of Strogyli. Unusually, cedar trees grow on the beach here. The species Juniperus Oxycedrus subsp. Macrocarpa is a genre of vegetation rare to the Mediterranean.
Elafonisos also hosts a wide variety of bird life. The shrubs and brush wood provide excellent nesting grounds.
Protecting the environment
Simos camping Elafonisos operates a waste water treatment plant. In the camping facilities there are special recycling bins for plastic, aluminum, paper and glass. Solar panels are used to provide the hot water supply as well as night lighting. Cut branches are not thrown away instead they are used to produce organic fertilizer.
We have an ecological perspective and we choose to invest in green growth, we encourage our guests to do the same.
