World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2, commemorating the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, aimed at their protection.
This day provided an opportunity for all participants to get acquainted with the wetland of the Kalloni Gulf and raise awareness about the vital role wetlands play for humanity and the planet. Participants also learned that wetlands provide valuable services to human societies, such as food and clean water, climate regulation, carbon dioxide absorption, and protection against natural disasters.
Lesvos is the island with the most wetlands in Greece. Most of them are located along the coasts of the Kalloni and Gera Gulfs, as well as on the western peninsula of the island.
Although relatively small, the wetlands of Western Lesvos form an essential network that supports unique wetland organisms, plants, and animals, particularly birds. Migratory birds passing through the western edge of Lesvos every spring and autumn see it as a natural continuation of Asia Minor. These wetlands also serve as vital sources of food and water for birds that breed in the area’s shrublands and rocky slopes, acting as a magnet for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Information and awareness-raising activities about the wetlands of Lesvos are organized by the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest / Kalloni Environmental Information Center in collaboration with the North Aegean Region. These activities include excursions for the public, educational programs for schools, the distribution of informative materials, and many other events.
For more information about the wetlands of Lesvos, visit the Kalloni Environmental Information Center's website at www.lesvosbirds.gr/el/ygrotopoi and its Facebook page.
You can also visit the websites of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest and the Lesvos Geopark at www.lesvosmuseum.gr, www.petrifiedforest.gr, and www.lesvosgeopark.gr, along with their Facebook pages.
Contact numbers and participation registration: 22510-47033, 22530-54434, and email: lesvospf@otenet.gr.