After several years of dedicated research, I am very proud to see that UNESCO has officially recognized the “Traditional Knowledge Methods and Practices Concerning Olive Cultivation” in Anatolia as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Congratulations to Doğa Derneği BirdLife International in Türkiye and all the other civil groups who contributed to this significant achievement, and sincere thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye – Directorate General of Research and Training for nominating this valuable natural and cultural heritage of Anatolia to UNESCO. The indigenous olive groves of Western Anatolia, Turkey, have supported communities and diverse ecosystems for centuries. Unlike planted orchards, olives here grow from grafted wild trees of this distinctive region. This anthropogenic ecosystem is remarkably diverse, fostering abundant biodiversity. Serving as an ancient model of #agroecology, this landscape provides innovative solutions to contemporary challenges, particularly #climatecrisis and water scarcity.
