The initiative “The Springs of Andros – A Project for the Creation of a Community Observatory” officially launched in June 2025, aiming to document, monitor, and highlight the natural springs of Andros through the creation of a participatory Observatory for Springs and Surface Waters of the island.
The project is being implemented with financial support from the Cyclades Preservation Fund and scientific backing from experts in the fields of hydrogeology, meteorology, and environmental management.
Purpose and Vision
Andros, an island with a long history of sustainable water management, is now facing increasing pressure on its water resources. Springs are drying up, being abandoned, or degrading, while climate change, rising domestic use, and tourism development are further stressing the balance of natural water sources.
The project aspires to highlight the value of the island’s springs as common natural and cultural assets, promoting environmental awareness and sustainable water management through community-based monitoring tools.
Main Project Activities
The project activities include:
- Recording of springs in North and South Andros through field research, as the springs in Central Andros have already been documented in our previous initiative, in collaboration with residents and local informants.
- Measurement of physicochemical water parameters (pH, conductivity, TDS, temperature) using specialized equipment.
- Design and pilot development of a digital platform, which will host data, maps, and descriptions of the springs, with open public access.
- Collection and consolidation of meteorological data from existing stations on Andros, along with supplementary research.
- Recording traditional knowledge and practices related to the “cultivation” of springs through interviews and participatory research.
- Preparing reports and disseminating results, aiming to develop a methodology that could be applied in other regions as well.
The initiative will be supported by an Advisory Board, including members of the Scientific Team, representatives of local and regional authorities and organizations, as well as the Cyclades Preservation Fund.
In a later phase of the project, a weather station is also planned to be installed, along with training of volunteers for long-term spring monitoring.
Collaboration with Georgetown University
The partnership with Georgetown University Qatar reflects international interest in traditional resource management and offers technical training, scientific support, and student participation in field research. As part of this collaboration, the first measuring instruments have already been installed, digital recording tools have been tested, and initial sampling measurements have been conducted at selected springs.
Expected Impact
The project aims to highlight the springs of Andros as key indicators of the island’s environmental health, as well as places of connection between the inhabitants and their most vital natural resource — water — through collective management.
Documenting and monitoring the springs will contribute to the assessment and public awareness of their current state, a first step toward reversing their degradation. It is also expected to strengthen the collective sense of ownership and recognition of the springs as shared environmental goods, passed down from generation to generation.
Through the project’s outreach, the importance of surface waters for biodiversity, microclimates, quality of life, and climate resilience is expected to be highlighted — fostering a more active attitude toward the natural and cultural heritage that the springs represent for Andros.
