Lemnos Marine Conservation (LMC), https://lemnosmarineconservation.org/ , a nonprofit organization, led by a voluntary board, is seeking an additional $50,000 to begin support for Phase II.

Phase I Goal Achieved! Thank you for helping us to reach our goal of $33,000! The Research vessel was launched in November, please see the summary of findings and next steps below.

News and Updates on https://lemnosmarineconservation.org/

The program's initial goal (for which LMC has already raised $33,000 for a research vessel and team, and fuel from Samos to Lemnos round trip) is focused on recording the health of our precious seagrass, a global resource, measuring water temperatures which reflect the health of the seas, collecting data, monitoring marine mammals and documenting coralligenous reef. We are meeting with Lemnos fishermen to hear their valuable observations to create protection and prevention measures in the North Aegean.

Photo: Sea Urchin shell in a seas grass habitat



PHASE I WORK COMPLETED:

Starting the week of November 17th, 2024 for 10 days, the research expedition was conducted with our scientific partner, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. AIMC, https://archipelago.gr. This included the community’s input. Meetings were held with interested locals, schools, a workshop for teachers and an overall awareness campaign. We did this to allow the locals, especially the fishermen who have key ecological knowledge, to have their opinions heard and to play a role in their future.

Year 1: Foundation & Awareness (2025)

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Build awareness, educate the public, and establish baseline marine data.

SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Using a data based scientific approach to data collection, LMC built a strong foundation of awareness with the general public, students, and local businesses through formal educational presentations both in local schools and in the public meeting space. LMC has gained credibility with key stakeholders, fishermen, the municipality, regional marine recycling entities, and other global marine conservation organizations to work together to accomplish the LMC mission.

Data Collection with drone surveys was conducted, a full report is available upon request.

Mosaics were created for each survey site. Twenty-two (22) Drone sites were surveyed, carbon storage, amount of seagrass, age of seagrass, and other key metrics were taken including approximate carbon sequestered.

Beach areas included: Ag.Ioannis, Kaspakas, Avlonas, Richa Nera, Romeikos Gialos, Myrina Limani, Ag.Nicholaos, Thanos Bay.

2025 Initiatives:

Organize existing data collected by LMC to serve as a foundational model for future data collection and reporting

MARINE DATA COLLECTION (Full detailed report available upon request)

Marine Data from the Lemnos seas was collected in partnership with (Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation) AIMC. The LMC Marine Biodiversity Report was published, which is a scientific report that is being converted into a graphic map to present the visual results to the public. The map will provide a visual display of our Fall 2024 data collection showing Posidonia seagrass and the biodiversity of the Lemnos coastline.

Data collected is in the process of being coalesced into a visual user friendly presentation to clearly communicate findings. This map will serve as a baseline for all data collection and conservation work.

Deliver educational workshops in schools, fishers’ associations, and hospitality professionals, and build awareness

Educational Workshops

LEMNOS: LMC together with AIMC presented in 14 schools (over 1000 students) on preserving Posidonia Oceanica seagrass, 5 community events held, and 7 screenings of David Attenborough’s ‘Ocean’ for students and the general public.

Awareness

USA: St. Nicholas Shrine, New York City, held an annual fund raiser focused on Orthodox Christian responsibility to nature conservation. LMC was chosen as one of the key programs they intend to support, pamphlets were distributed and there was formal gala communications. LMC’s initiatives are now supported by the Ecumenical Patriarch’s “Care for Creation” environmental initiative activism.

LMC was interviewed by CosmosFM radio station to inform the public on their key marine conservation initiatives on Lemnos.

Partnerships

Seven (7) partnerships formalized: Lemnos Municipality, Lemnos Fishermen’s Union, Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (AIMC), Aegean Recycling s.a., Anemoessa, Ballcorp, Alchemia-Nova Greece/Remedies EU (EU REMEDIES program, which researches circular‑economy solutions to cut plastic waste), St.Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.

Partnerships in process: ISEA, MEDINA (Mediterranean Institute For Nature And Anthropos); International Support For Plastic Waste Management Experts And Marine Conservation Experts, Maritime Friends of St.Nicholas, Explorers Club.

Launch the "Refill, Re-Use, Restore" plastic reduction campaign

Summer of 2025, started the single-use plastic awareness campaign, presenting to the Lemnos Municipality and the public — speaking with fishermen and local businesses, especially owners of beach bars, as Greece is a well established cafe beach culture and thousands of plastic cups end up in the sea

Launched ‘Imagine Lemnos Plastic Free’ initiative with the municipality. Designed and Scheduled ‘Imagine Lemnos Plastic Free’ in junction with municipality to be held July 11-12, 2026 (see details below). The event is part of a three-year single-use plastic reduction initiative which aims to shift attitudes toward single‑use plastics and protect the island’s environment, marine life, and public health

Branded Thermos Distribution initiative on hold due to lack of funding. It will be considered for the 2026 Festival event

Deploy underwater drones for habitat documentation

This was completed as part of the Marine biodiversity data collection effort

Launch GoFundMe campaign and initiate EU grant applications

USA based GoFundMe page established which raised $33,000 in conjunction with private donations

Grants program- application in process with BeMED- whose commitment is for a plastic free mediterranean sea; future initiative to hire a grant writing consultant. In addition, LMC is actively conversing with Greek and North American academic research based organizations to establish key relationships

Initiate stakeholder mapping and begin policy discussions

Discussions with Lemnos Fishermen Union, Municipality, and ISea is on-going

Begin volunteer recruitment and soft-skill training

Working with waste management consultants, including Alchemia, and Aegean Recycling to recruit and train volunteers

Year 2: Expansion & Structure (2026)

Primary Objectives:

Design Conservation Center in Myrina, Deepen research, expand educational outreach and formalize infrastructure plans

Continue Key Initiatives started in 2025, in addition to the following:

Marine Conservation Center Establishment

Develop a scope of work for the conservation center in partnership with the Lemnos Municipality

Marine Research & Policy

Continue biodiversity monitoring with invasive and endangered species and Publish annual data reports with university and collaborators

Present findings at EU and global marine conferences

Through collaboration with Lemnos Fishermen Union, and other organizations with deep expertise, locate and designate fishing and no-fish zones along with schedules; generate a map to visually describe this plan

Education Expansion

Conduct training for coast guard, fishermen, tourism staff and students

Organize citizen science programs with youth groups, co-ops, and sports clubs

Deliver summer seminars and teacher guides for sustainable practices

Proposed Festival Event Highlights 2026

Documentary Screenings: International short films on microplastics will be screened and marine conservation films will be made by Lemnos students (1-3 min) showcasing the effects of single-use plastics on their future within a future competition judged by an award winning film company in Australia, Wild Pacific. A synopsis of the theme for these short films will soon be provided to the students.

We are planning a public discussion by a marine biologist on the impact of plastics on our bodies and the Aegean, who will also speak to students and create plastic awareness projects.

A private round table of experts (starting virtually in 2025) is being formed to discuss solutions using current science on sustainability with our local potable water water and marine protection: with the Lemnos and Lesvos Municipality, business, a marine biologist, a marine biology professor, business and Lemnos recycling management to consider solution for a sustainable future in Lemnos.

LMC is researching vendor sponsors such as Brita who will explain single use plastic alternatives to individuals and business at the Apothiki Cultural Space.

Why seagrass?

Posidonia Oceanica, or Neptune seagrass meadows, the Mediterranean's underwater forests, are crucial ecosystems facing extinction. They shelter over 1,000 marine species, support 300 plant species, and combat climate change by absorbing carbon 35 times faster than tropical rainforests! However, these fragile meadows have declined by 34% in 50 years, threatened by boat anchors and erosion. It can take up to 100 years to regenerate, if at all. With AIMC we will suggest ways to preserve these vital ecosystems.

The Lemnos project will assess the health of existing marine forests to begin the process of creating public moorings so boats know where to anchor safely, avoiding seagrass, and provide guidance to communities on protecting their biodiverse sea life.

We can do this.

You can make a difference.

The data will result in protocols and best practice recommendations for all LEMNOS island residents and visitors of all ages. LMC will work to introduce them to secure a sustainable future.

Photos: A school of fish and the protected Giant Sea Tun in Lemnos favor a seagrass habitat

Where does the money go?

The additional funding we are seeking will help us with our non profit organization to pay for a continued awareness campaign in the community and globally.

Photo: The "Aegean Explorer", the research vessel of Archipelagos Institute

Who are our partners?

Educating our local communities on our coastal ecosystems and engaging our youth comes with a cost. With your help we can continue with our awareness campaign. Please donate.

No amount is too small for our $50,000 goal to begin Phase II.

Corporate sponsors, family offices or private organizations will be offered involvement with our subject matter experts AIMC and/or LMC principles.

LMC is a 501c3. Donations are tax deductible in the US.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Photo: Lemnos underwater

Our US LMC members include Claudia Sherwood-Servidio, Peter Zaharatos, Debra Apruzzese, Despina Pantelias Angelo Zaharatos, George Zaharatos, Chris Zaharatos. Our LMC, Lemnos, Greece marine consultant is Dimitri Tsouvalas.

We are working with the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology and Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University in New Jersey to develop exchange programs for interns to learn about oceanographic research and guest speakers to advocate for marine science research.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and national shrine at the World Trade Center, honors all faiths and has a history of environmental advocacy and will work with us on climate mitigation and understanding the spiritual connection between man and nature.

LMC will provide consumer engagement in the USA on social media, and also on Lemnos.

We are grateful that Web2Learn is supporting this crucial conservation effort! Web2Learn is crafting the communication strategy, creating promotional materials, and coordinating campaign activities in Lemnos.