The island of Kefalonia is known for its richness in archaeological and cultural history and biodiversity (leading to the proclamation of Mount Aenos as a Natural Park), as well as for its geological diversity, compared to an active geological laboratory, located in the most tectonically active location of Europe. The geological formations, the large number of faults -several of which are active- and the great earthquakes and seismicity, caves and karst formations, mount Aenos, and the special marine environment creating a geological pattern like a "mosaic with all the specifications requested to become a Geopark, within which plenty of geotopes and several geodetic routes could be defined. Except the islands of Kefalonia & Ithaca, the Geopark includes the inner Ionian Archipelago with its steep coastlines, clearly depicting the geology of the area, and the coastal caves.
The year 2020 marks a milestone for the management of Protected Areas (PAs) in Greece with the publication of Law 4685/2020 (Government Gazette A92/7.5.2020), whereby the National System of Governance of Protected Areas is defined and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (N.E.C.C.A.) is established. The management system reflected in the new law essentially reinforces the cooperation of all competent authorities and organizations, as well as the coordination of all Management Bodies under the umbrella of N.E.C.C.A. With the aim of implementing a modernized and contemporary system of governance for Protected Areas (PAs), the Ministry of Environment and Energy deemed it necessary to unify planning under one combined scientific, consulting and coordinating body for the effective organization of governance and management of these areas. N.E.C.C.A aims to implement the policy formulated by the Ministry of Environment for the management of protected areas and it is also the Management Agency of two UNESCO Global Geoparks of Greece, Chelmos-Vouraikos and Kefalonia- Ithaca.
