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Preservation of Natural Life

We are conducting efforts at our facility to protect and promote endangered species such as the sand lily and the bay laurel tree. Through informational boards, we ensure that both our staff and guests increase their awareness.

At Aska Lara, we are aware of the crucial importance of preserving biological diversity. We strive to support combating climate change and reducing natural disasters by conserving biodiversity.

Within our facility, necessary efforts and activities are carried out to preserve and manage the biodiversity we possess. The condition of our animal friends within the boundaries of our facility is constantly monitored, and necessary provisions are made for their protection.

In addition to garden maintenance, examples such as underwater cleaning to prevent marine pollution and preserve the natural habitat of marine life, as well as waste collection, are among our priorities.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Loggerhead sea turtles are a species belonging to the genus Caretta. For over 100 million years, these sea turtles have traveled vast distances in the world’s oceans, playing an indispensable and complementary role in the health of marine and coastal ecosystems. However, their species is facing the threat of extinction due to factors and activities such as the increasing human population over the past 200 years, the conversion of nesting areas into beaches, and the litter left on the shore.

Endangered and crucial for the continuity of their species along the Mediterranean coasts of our country, loggerhead sea turtles must be protected. The Belek coast is one of Turkey’s most important nesting areas. At our facility, we conduct informational and awareness campaigns to protect and ensure the continuity of this turtle species, which we occasionally host.

What can we do to protect loggerhead sea turtles?

In addition to the protective measures we take at our facility:

Ensuring the screening of lights visible from the beach
Avoiding the use of lights on the beach at night
Avoiding building fires on the beach
Refraining from using umbrellas or sunbeds in nesting areas
Avoiding leaving items on the nesting beach at night
Preventing domestic animals from entering nesting beaches
Preventing the extraction and excavation of sand from beaches
Avoiding entering beaches with motorized vehicles
Avoiding leaving garbage on the beach and in the sea

Together, we can contribute to the conservation of this species.

Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are important carnivorous animals in their natural habitats for the healthy functioning of ecosystems. By eating insects, worms, and other small animals in the soil, they improve soil structure and increase the distribution and activity of microorganisms, thereby accelerating the cycle of nutrients in the soil. Therefore, they provide many benefits to both nature and humans. Antalya, due to its warm climate, is one of the places where hedgehogs are constantly found year-round. It is among the protected species in our country. Scientific studies also indicate that the hedgehog population decreases by 25% every year. Among the most important reasons for the endangerment of this species are human activities that harm their natural habitats. Therefore, we have initiatives at our facility to protect these friends we frequently encounter in their habitats.

What can we do to protect hedgehogs?

In addition to the protective measures we take at our facility:

Protecting forests and natural areas
Preventing deforestation
Avoiding environmental pollution
Being cautious about the use of agricultural chemicals, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc.
Avoiding displacing them from their natural habitats
Together, we can contribute to the conservation of this species.

Together, we can contribute to the conservation of this species.

Sand Lily

Sand lily, which grows along the Mediterranean coast, is a species protected by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2016. It is frequently seen especially in Lara, Belek, and Kundu in Antalya. This plant, which loves coastal sands, has a high resistance to drought and salinity and can live without water, thus contributing to the preservation of water sources. However, due to the unchecked increase in human activities, its species is gradually becoming extinct. It is illegal to pick or export them. We also take necessary measures at our facility to protect this species we host and work to raise awareness.

What can we do to protect the sand lily species?

In addition to the protective measures we take at our facility:

Raising awareness among people
Preventing them from being picked
Not uprooting bulbs to grow them at home
Avoiding crushing these plants
Avoiding environmental pollution
Conducting agricultural spraying in a controlled manner

Together, we can contribute to the conservation of this species.

Blueberry

Blueberries are a vine fruit accustomed to temperate climates. Also known as bearberries, they grow easily in humid areas. They are suitable for the natural area of the Mediterranean Region. Blueberries provide resistance to cold down to -28 or even -40 degrees depending on the variety. Adapted to our region in terms of climate characteristics, they contribute to biodiversity.

What can we do to protect the blueberry species?

In addition to the protective measures we take at our facility:

Raising awareness among people
Preventing uncontrolled picking
Educating people around us
Avoiding environmental pollution

Together, we can contribute to the conservation of this species.

Iris

Also known as “süsen.”

Belonging to the family Iridaceae, they come in various colors and are a narrowly distributed endemic species. They naturally grow in most parts of Turkey. Their non-flowering plays an important role in ensuring the sustainability of biodiversity. Due to reasons such as being indiscriminately collected and smuggled to other countries, they are among the plants on the brink of extinction. We attach importance to the preservation of this species we host at our facility.

What can we do to protect the iris species?

In addition to the protective measures we take at our facility:

Raising awareness among people
Preventing them from being picked and collected
Popularizing the introduction of the species
Educating people around us
Avoiding environmental pollution

Together, we can contribute to the conservation of this species.

Anatolian Sweetgum Tree

The Anatolian sweetgum tree is a species with the only natural distribution area in the world being the southwest of Turkey and the island of Rhodes. It is an endemic species growing in limited areas in the Southern Aegean and Western Mediterranean regions of Turkey. Since it retains its leaves for 11 months of the year, the sweetgum tree population, which remains alive, is also important for cultural tourism. Also, endemic species are known as the most precious examples of their species. Growing in a certain region of the world makes them quite valuable. Therefore, special attention is paid to the preservation of these species and to prevent their extinction.

What can we do to protect the Anatolian sweetgum tree species?

In addition to the protective measures we take at our facility: