Adonis is the name of the Oldest European Tree, who is located in Greece and will be the mascot of our project. With him we will find interesting stories behind old trees. The purpose of the project is to point out interesting old trees as important natural and cultural assets that we should respect and protect. We will focus on their story and connection with people. We are looking for trees that have become an integral part of the wider community to HUG AND PROTECT.
The first TREEHUGGERS were 294 men and 69 women who died while trying to protect the trees in their village from being turned into the raw material for building a palace. They literally clung to the trees, while being slaughtered by the foresters. But their action led to a royal decree prohibiting the cutting of trees in any Bishnoi village. And now those villages are virtual wooded oases amidst an otherwise desert landscape.
Our students will be the eTreeHuggers who will Hug their countries' trees to protect them.