bioporos

  • The magical world of bees

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    A lot of discussion is taking place nowadays, regarding the essential role of bees in our lives. With their natural habitats greatly destroyed due to pesticides and modern farming practices, bee populations are starting to diminish at a worrying rate around the world. It is therefore, worth reminding ourselves what these creatures do to sustain life on all levels.

    Bee populations constitute the cornerstone of a successful and sustainable crop production. Almost all crops cultivated with the intention of ending up in our plates and shopping baskets need bees to pollinate them. The yield and quality of these crops heavily depend on this process.

    Therefore, it is clear that the quality and quantity of food crops available for human consumption relies on bees. And this includes products that we consume every day and are absolutely essential to the survival and healthy living of the human population; nearly all fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds used to produce oil.

    Even the coffee beans used to produce the precious, dark liquid dripping in your cup that you cherish every morning, needed bees to help them grow. Except for food crops, directly aimed at human consumption, bees help maintain crops used as fodder supplies for feeding livestock. So bee activity indirectly affects meat production as well, by securing the existence of food for the animals we breed to consume.

    But their contribution does not stop here, not to mention honey and wax production. The aforementioned results of their beneficial activity are only one side of their crucial role; specifically the side that has a more direct impact on our lives and is most likely to concern us. But focusing solely on the importance of bees in maintaining food crops would be a superficial approach to their vital role in nature, or life for that matter, preservation and it would also be an understatement.

    Bees are guardians of the world’s ecosystems and, consequently, its biodiversity. And this is crucial for sustaining wildlife, animal and plant populations and preserving wild natural landscapes. In other words, bees keep the economy up and running, from a strictly financial point of view, by securing today’s precarious food supply. But, more importantly, they are one of the reasons why we humans and every other living creature on earth are alive and thriving.

    In Bioporos Organic Farm we have long been aware of the vital importance of bees, not only for the environment, but also for sustaining human life. We have installed a beekeeping unit, which you are welcome to visit, to watch these fascinating creatures in action and observe organic beekeeping practices. After this unique experience you will appreciate the hard work of nature’s tireless keepers a lot more.

  • Let your kids approach nature during holidays

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    Spending time close to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, can be a positive change for anyone, but it is particularly beneficial to children whose contact with nature is becoming all the less frequent. In Bioporos organic farm, it is always a great pleasure to welcome kids in the farm. Some city kids have very few, if any, authentic nature experiences. Introducing them to farm life can be not only fun but also highly educational. And what better place to do so than the unspoiled environment of Lake Korission, a Natura 2000 protected site.

    The change of scenery itself can be extremely good for a young kid. They get to breathe the fresh air of the countryside and have plenty of open space to play and exercise. And running around freely in these vast spaces, with no need to mind the traffic, is not something that most kids who grow up in the city experience too often. It is amazing to see how kids adapt to the countryside, feeling as if they have finally found their natural environment. In Bioporos kids can engage in a number of activities that will keep them from getting bored and give them the chance to release their youthful energy.

    On the farm the kids also have the chance to approach animals that they may have never seen up close before. They are invited to come close and cuddle our donkey, our horse and goats, get close to the chickens and, of course, our cats and dogs. This experience teaches them to not be afraid of animals, be gentle with them and respect these creatures. In Bioporos, kids can also watch birds and other rare species that can be found in Lake Korission and, if you are lucky, you may have the exciting opportunity to see some flamingos as they stop by in their long journey. Same goes not only for animals but also for plants, as the area’s flora is extremely rich.

    And we are sure your kids will love star gazing. This is something even adults may have never experienced in an urban environment, but the crystal clear skies of the countryside offer the chance to do so now.

    The most important thing is that spending time on the farm can shape your kid’s future habits as well. Coming here they experience plain rustic life with everything this implies; healthy eating, consuming local organic produce, getting a closer look to how our food is grown. Seeing all this can result in them adopting a more conscious lifestyle in the future, as they realize each and every one of our actions has an impact on the environment, something rather easy to forget if one is used to living in an urban setting, completely detached from nature. And the positive habits they acquire now can turn out to accompany them for a lifetime.

    So bring your kids along and while you are casting of the noise of the city from your minds, let them get their hands dirty and experience rural life to the fullest. Don’t be surprised if they ask you to come back to the farm every year!

  • Four ways to be a responsible traveler

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    In Bioporos Organic Farm we are all about nature conservation and promoting organic, environmentally friendly tourist activities and practices. We love nature above all and want to ensure that we do everything in our power to maintain its beauty intact. We are a certified ecotourism establishment, growing our own organic crops and we invite our guests to help us in our fight for a cleaner environment, embracing our environmentally conscious vision and adopting relevant traveling habits. Here are five tips you are encouraged to keep in mind for protecting the environment while enjoying your holiday.

    1. Consider low-impact transport
    We all know that traveling while on holiday can significantly increase our carbon footprint, as most means of transport contribute to pollution. So when planning your next trip you can try minimizing your emissions. This includes both getting to your holiday destination and choosing the right form of transport for getting around once you are there. Avoid flights to otherwise easily accessible destinations and go for an environmentally friendly means when you get there, like public transport.

    2. Respect water resources
    Try and limit the amount of water you are wasting, just as you would if you were at home. In Bioporos Organic Farm we realise how truly precious natural water resources are, as well as how scarce they are in our day and age. We encourage you to switch to a shower, rather than a bath and consider using refillable water bottles. We have also set up a biological wastewater treatment system, so that we can reuse water for our crops. So using biodegradable soaps and detergents is strongly advised and another way in which you can help protect water resources and save up water.

    3. Limit energy consumption
    This should be the norm for our everyday lives and your holiday is not an exception. Remember to turn off all lights, devices and taps before leaving your hotel room. You can also try and limit your use of air-conditioning and hot water to only when absolutely necessary. This way you can reduce your carbon footprint and rest assured that your fun vacation time will not have a negative impact on the environment.

    4. Reduce, reuse, recycle
    It probably goes without saying that you must not litter while on holiday. But you can take nature conservation a step further. Limit your use of plastic, both when shopping and packing for a trip. Avoid buying plastic bags and, if necessary, make sure the bag you are buying is biodegradable. On the contrary, invest in a reusable bag made of cotton for example. And while you are on your trip, always remember to reduce the amount of waste you produce and recycle whenever possible. In some cases you may even get a refund for recycled goods.

    So next time you are planning to go on holiday, keep those simple suggestions in mind as a small gesture can go a long way in protecting the future of our planet.