Save the Seagrass:Lemnos Marine Conservation Expedition 2024

Donations are being matched until the end of the campaign OCTOBER 31, 2024.

Please keep up the good work and spread the word during our final challenge week.

Thank you!

Lemnos Marine Conservation (LMC) is a nonprofit organization seeking $35,000 for Phase I of the 'Save the Seagrass' marine program. The program's initial goal is focused on protection of the seagrass in the North Aegean with a scheduled Fall 2024 research expedition with our scientific partner, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation.

https://lemnosmarineconservation.org/

Why seagrass?



Seagrasses are under threat. Our project focuses on Posidonia seagrass meadows, the underwater forests of the Mediterranean. The science on the importance of seagrass is clear. They form an invaluable shelter for over 1000 species of marine animals and over 300 species of plants. Seagrass is an underwater plant that is our superpower ally to help us combat the effects of climate change. It has been estimated that seagrasses are 35x faster and even more efficient in cleaning the atmosphere of carbon than tropical rainforests!

The carbon stored in the seagrass meadows is called "blue carbon." Through the photosynthesis process this blue carbon is stored for hundreds to thousands of years. Seagrass accounts for 10-18% of total ocean carbon storage despite covering just .1% of the seafloor. Simply stated, stable blue carbon is safely stored in our ocean floor - where we want to keep it. Damage of underwater seagrass beds causes the release of blue carbon into the atmosphere.

The photo below of a seagrass bed was taken on Lemnos Island, Greece. It is called Posidonia Oceanica or Neptune Seagrass.

Seagrass meadows are considered to be “forests of our seas”

Over the past 50 years, Posidonia meadows in the Mediterranean have declined by at least 34% . The meadows are fragile, easily damaged environments. Home to thousands of species and protection of beaches and cliffs. When these underwater meadows are destroyed, it takes at least 100 years to regenerate, if they ever manage to do so.

The Lemnnos project will map existing marine forests to begin the process of creating public moorings and provide guidance to communities.

We can do this.

You can make a difference.

Photo: Sea Urchin shell in a seas grass habitat

How to protect seagrass?

Broken off seagrass

Although seagrass can be grown in underwater gardens, this is so complex and a slow process, (they only grow 6cm per year) and is better served by protecting the existing seagrass meadows. Seagrass is already protected by law, but not properly enforced — because it is not always known exactly where it lies on the seafloor. We need detailed maps depicting the location of our "sea forests" to make communities aware of where they are along the coastline.

Photo: Lemnos coastline

Photo: Aerial photos of Lemnos coastline

Seagrasses are a biodiverse marine habitat — a nursery for sea life. A one-acre seagrass bed can be home for 40,000 fish and other sea life including shellfish. Seagrasses reduce wave action to prevent erosion of shores and cliffs, protecting other plants and animals. The September expedition will begin the process to protect this valuable resource for Greece.

Together we can protect our vital seagrass...

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

What you will support...

The Fall 2024 Phase I marine expedition for Lemnos Island, the 8th largest island in Greece. The Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (AIMC) will map seagrass and document marine species. The AIMC research vessel will survey the coast of Lemnos for 7 days to measure and map the underwater sea forests, and document the diverse sea. At a later date, a second phase of research will be conducted in deeper waters to include the coralligenous reef.

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

Once the Phase I data has been collected and analyzed, our non profit Lemnos Marine Conservation will work with our scientific partner, AIMC, and other partners, to introduce and execute programs that the community, schools and tourists can understand and participate in.

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

Photo: Archipelagos Institute research vessel, scientific equipment and school students

Where does the money go?

The funding pays for the 7 day expedition by the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation: 10 subject matter expert scientists, the research vessel, ROV's (remote underwater vehicles) advanced measurement equipment, biomass scanner, multibeam sonar, loggers to assess Blue Carbon and collect data from the ocean floor. Included is fuel, food, secondary housing when neccessary and all support necessities for this first step for LEMNOS. Tax deductible in the US.

Photos: Various ROV's (Remote Underwater Vehicles) used for mapping biodiversity

Who are the partners?

AIMC is an Athens based non profit with the mission to defend and protect biodiversity of the northeastern Mediterranean www.archipelago.gr

Lemnos Marine Conservation (LMC) is local to Lemnos and the North Aegean and will liaison with AIMC on recommendations, protocols and educational opportunities.

Other partners supporting this effort are:

Our US LMC members include Claudia Sherwood-Servidio, Peter Zaharatos, Debra Apruzzese, Angelo Zaharatos, George Zaharatos, Chris Zaharatos.

Our LMC, Lemnos on-island director is Dimitri Tsouvalas.

Including the local community in this inaugural effort to protect our coastal ecosystem and marine life is a priority for LMC. Educating our local communities and engaging our youth comes with a cost.

With your help we can begin.

Support the Lemnos Marine Conservation Expedition scheduled for Fall 2024!

Please donate. No amount is too small.

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

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

Research will be shared and built on with subsequent scientific based expeditions to further the goal of a sustainable LEMNOS.

Thanking you in advance for your participation.

Photo: Lemnos underwater

Some additional collaborations planned

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. St. Nicholas is working with us to develop programs that are based on climate mitigation and understanding the spiritual connection between man and nature.

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