Lesvos: The Island of Wetlands
Lesvos is the island with the most wetlands in Greece, second only to Crete. Some of its notable wetlands include the Salt Pans of Kalloni and Polichnitos, the Dipi-Larsos marsh, the estuaries of Tsiknias, Vouvaris, Tsichliotas, and Faneromeni, as well as the lagoons of Meson, Ennia Kamarai, and Parakoila, the reservoirs of Molyvos and Keramio, and the Pythari dam — 65 wetlands in total! Most of these are located along the coasts of Kalloni and Gera Gulfs and the western peninsula of the island.
Although relatively small, the wetlands of Western Lesvos form a crucial network that supports unique wetland organisms, plants, and animals. Particularly significant are the migratory birds that pass through the western tip of Lesvos every spring and autumn, perceiving it as a natural extension of Asia Minor. These wetlands also serve as a vital source of water and food for birds that breed in the region's shrublands and rocky slopes, attracting both birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Information and awareness-raising activities regarding the wetlands of Western Lesvos are carried out by the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest and the Kalloni Environmental Information Center, in collaboration with the North Aegean Region. These activities include public excursions, educational programs for schools, the distribution of informative and educational materials, and many other events.
The activities in the wetlands of Western Lesvos were implemented as part of the project “Actions for the Promotion of Lesvos' Protected Areas”, which is included in the Regional Operational Program “North Aegean 2014-2020”, with the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest as the implementing body.
For more information about the wetlands of Lesvos, visit the website of the Kalloni Environmental Information Center at www.lesvosbirds.gr/el/ygrotopoi and its Facebook page Kalloni Environmental Information Center.