Lily Venizelos
Encyclopedia
Lily Venizelos is the founder and president of MEDASSET (MEDiterranean Association to Save the SEa Turtles). Ever since 1983 she has committed herself to protecting the sea turtles that occur in the Mediterranean.
. This was and still is the main nesting habitat of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. Although given little support, she campaigned worldwide to protect the nesting place from destruction.
In 1986 and 1987 she also played an important part in the campaign to preserve İztuzu Beach
near Dalyan, Turkey, another important nesting habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle.
In 1987 Lily Venizelos received a “Global 500 award
”, an award which -that year- was granted for the first time by the United Nations
to persons and organisations that had played an important role in environmental protection.
In 1988 Lily Venizelos established MEDASSET, an organisation that carries out research as to the loggerhead and green turtles, the only two species of sea turtles that occur in the Mediterranean. MEDASSET tries to protect these turtles -both on the IUCN lists- and their habitats.
Because of her contacts with politicians, governments, international organisations and institutes, Lily Venizelos has put MEDASSET and the fate of sea turtles in the Mediterranean on the international agenda.
She is a member of both the Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) and of the IUCN.
in 1999.
History
In 1983 Lily Venizelos exerted herself as the protector of the Bay of Laganas in the Greek island of ZakynthosZakynthos
Zakynthos , also Zante, the other form often used in English and in Italian , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It covers an area of ...
. This was and still is the main nesting habitat of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. Although given little support, she campaigned worldwide to protect the nesting place from destruction.
In 1986 and 1987 she also played an important part in the campaign to preserve İztuzu Beach
Iztuzu Beach
İztuzu Beach is a 4.5km long beach near Dalyan, in the Ortaca district of the Province of Muğla in southwestern Turkey. The beach is a narrow spit of land, which forms a natural barrier between the fresh water delta of the Dalyan river and the Mediterranean...
near Dalyan, Turkey, another important nesting habitat for the loggerhead sea turtle.
In 1987 Lily Venizelos received a “Global 500 award
Global 500 Roll of Honour
The United Nations Environment Programme established the Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1987 to recognize the environmental achievements of individuals and organizations around the world.The last Global 500 Roll of Honour awards were made in 2003...
”, an award which -that year- was granted for the first time by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
to persons and organisations that had played an important role in environmental protection.
In 1988 Lily Venizelos established MEDASSET, an organisation that carries out research as to the loggerhead and green turtles, the only two species of sea turtles that occur in the Mediterranean. MEDASSET tries to protect these turtles -both on the IUCN lists- and their habitats.
Because of her contacts with politicians, governments, international organisations and institutes, Lily Venizelos has put MEDASSET and the fate of sea turtles in the Mediterranean on the international agenda.
She is a member of both the Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) and of the IUCN.
Zakynthos National Park
Thanks to Lily Venizelos the Bay of Laganas was given the status of a National Marine ParkZakynthos Marine Park
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos founded in 1999, is a national park located in Laganas bay, in Zakynthos island, Greece. The park, part of the Natura 2000 ecological network, covers an area of and...
in 1999.