In recognition of raising public awareness about the fragility, productivity and value of our irreplaceable marine environment, Online Schools has announced its Top Sea Life Blogs Awards, one of which has been conferred upon this blog. Following the recent Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, Online Schools has particularly focused on enabling people “to have a better understanding of the animals affected [and] an appreciation for how important these forms of life are to the overall health of our Earth”.
In actuality, the 20,290 visitors from 165 countries around the world who have made this blog a success, as well as a pleasure to research and share with others, are the individuals who should be recognized instead for their keen interest in natural ecosystems that affect each of us no matter where we live and, more importantly, connect all of us who are entirely dependent on the health and well-being of nature and its beauty that surround us.
I am always star struck when I look at nature. Perhaps this is because we are all made from stardust forged in the heart of a star and infused with a whisper of celestial wisdom. (Constantine Alexander)
Tilos Natural Park Map. Credit: Constantine Alexander
"I promised the rainbow a better earth, a season full of soil fresh with immaculate chamomile at the bare feet...With pure white birds I filled the wind that will go to the morning inauguration of the sea! And here we are both ready, holding hands...When we blow the veil opens...to beautiful years yet to come...From that point, toil will begin and happiness will enter the crystals we awaited."
From "The Whole World" by Odysseus Elytis, 1979 Nobel laureate
And so it was on October 5, 2003 that the thirty-three founding members whom I had recruited, representing individuals and organisations from around the world, gathered together on Tilos that day to publicly declare their dedication to the conservation of Tilos and its 14 uninhabited islets through the formation of the Tilos Park Association (TPA), a Greek registered non-profit NGO, that grew into a well-funded organization supported by an international dues-paying membership that included 2/3 of the island residents, island visitors and national government officials including the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias.
The pristine natural environment of Tilos and its islets radiate the beauty, vitality, and resilience of the indigenous flora and fauna that have evolved for centuries in the southeastern Aegean Sea. The founding members of the TPA were inspired by the irreplaceable value of the island’s unspoiled, interdependent ecosystems that consist of 16 different biotopes fed by underground springs of clean, fresh water that nourish the 63 sq km island.
The documentation of more than 378 botanical species; 162 resident and migratory wild bird species, of which one quarter require protection under the EU Birds Directive 79/409/EEC; the rare Mediterranean monk seal classified by IUCN as "critically endangered"; and a myriad of other terrestrial and marine wildlife species clearly warranted the designation of the island and islets as an EU registered Special Protection Area, a Natura 2000 Network site and a 2004-2007 host to the EU Tilos Life Nature program of which the newly founded TPA became a full partner.
Yet awareness by the TPA founding members of growing societal pressures, imposed by economic as well as recreational interests that threatened the survival of the island's natural environment, inspired the TPA to devote its efforts to the conservation of the island SPA and the ecologically sensitive development of the islanders' socio-economic needs. This partnership of equally respected endeavours was manifested in the aims of the organisation and, more importantly, in the actions of the TPA.
The TPA welcomed members from around the world who generously contributed their time, effort and creative ideas which represented the organisation's most valuable asset. Within the first 3 years of the TPA’s existence, these ideas were transformed into actions that included (i) the successful lobbying of the Hellenic government at national, regional and local levels for the approval of the Tilos Natural Park establishment which was officially granted in 2006, (ii) securing the 100% EU funding approval of a wetlands development project incorporating interdependent bio-systems and a discreet visitor observation centre following the loss of the natural island wetlands due to construction development, (iii) actively working with local residents in their establishment of long term ecotourism businesses that showcase the island's natural beauty, (iv) inviting and cooperating with renewable energy experts in keeping with the Kyoto Protocol, (v) coordinating the implementation of the entire EU Tilos Life Nature program, (vi) extending invitations to and organising excursions for non-resident student science groups to study the island ecology for academic credit, (vii) the development of ecological maps and guides for visitors, (viii) local high school presentations and weekly visitor discussion groups to heighten public awareness about the island's natural resources, (ix) the establishment of an Avian Recovery Centre to care for injured birds and other wildlife species; (x) the creation of a library containing visitor guides in 7 languages along with island botanical, geological and marine as well as terrestrial biological information; and (xi) island tours covering the history, ecology and culture of the island. These actions reflect the energy, enthusiasm and goal orientation of the TPA staff, volunteers and membership whose commitment deepened with each accomplishment that could not be achieved without a collaborative effort.
This team effort was best exemplified by the September 2004 Avian Recovery Centre [ARC] establishment as a facility to house, feed and care for birds found on the island suffering from injury, migratory exhaustion and/or trauma. In the first 24 months of operation, the ARC received 26 birds representing 16 resident and migratory avian species including Eleonora’s Falcon, Long Legged Buzzard, Gray Heron, Kingfisher, Little Bittern, Kestrel, Song Thrush, Scops Owl and Moorhen. The interior landscape design of the large outdoor cages featured bay trees, berry vines, rosemary, thyme, marjoram and lemon verbena as well as water pools to offer shelter, shade, wind protection and a natural habitat for the birds. Without any avian or veterinary professionals on the island, we were fortunate to have located non-resident volunteer experts who informed us about the proper care and feeding of each species. Island residents and the TPA volunteer staff provided the birds’ necessities from their own personal resources during the ARC’s daily operation.
Many of these birds recovered and were released; unfortunately, some did not survive as their injuries were too severe. Regardless of the outcome, however, each shared with us its own characteristic behaviour, unique personality and struggle to survive. And just as important, each individual enriched our knowledge about those with whom we shared this beautiful island SPA.
The Tilos Park Journal was published by the Tilos Park Association. The purpose of the Journal was to acquaint the public with then-current island news having international relevance. The articles reported on such topics as island renewable energy development; the island challenges associated with endangered marine turtle species conservation; island wildlife conservation actions in compliance with mandatory EU Directives; comparisons and contrasts among Tilos, European and north African EU Life Nature program experiences; wetlands restoration; ecotourism developments; the significance, restoration and sustainable uses of historical sites; Tilos botanical history, mythology, ancient trading products and existing rare species; and more.
As of winter 2008, the Journal was electronically distributed to more than 6,250 international subscribers including European Commission and European Parliament Members, Hellenic government officials and Hellenic Parliament Members, international NGO's, European multi-national industry executives, private individuals and TPA members from Canada, South Africa, Europe, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey and the US.
Our TPA experience filled with socio-economic and environmental conservation progress, sustainable development programs, volunteer support from island residents as well as visitors, and, most important of all, memorable group collaborations can be replicated in any community around the world when the strength of shared values succeeds in breaking the burdensome chains made of individual differences.
This Holiday Season let us celebrate love and the kind spirit that it brings! Many of us are going through some difficult times right now and hopefully 2011 will be a better year for all! Whatever your religious beliefs might be, whatever your nationality or political affiliation, let us all wish for Peace, Health and Spiritual Enlightenment for the New Year!
Aris Anagnos was born in Greece where he served in the Greek army in World War II. He graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) and went on to build a successful business in Southern California.
He has distinguished himself as champion of social justice. Aris is an activist for peace in Kosovo and Serbia, and for human rights movements in Latin America. He has been awarded the Ralph Bunche Peace Award by the United Nations Association and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award by the Southern California Americans for Democratic Action.
Aris is also the founder of the American Hellenic Council of Southern California, an organization that promotes Hellenism and the Greek issues in the US. I was lucky enough to have been a friend of Aris and his wonderful wife Carolyn and I have benefited greatly from his advice.
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Parea: (Gr.) A Parea in Greek culture is a group of friends who regularly gather together to share their experiences about life, their philosophies, values and ideas. The Parea is really a venue for the growth of the human spirit, the development of friendships and the exploration of ideas to enrich our quality of life that is all too brief in time. In Greece, the Parea is a long-lasting circle and cycle of life nourished by the people who participate. (Constantine Alexander)
During the past several months, our office coordinated and participated in an energized and optimistic team of political decision makers, scientists, Andros Island stakeholders and project managers that jointly prepared a funding application for the creation of a management plan and priority conservation actions to benefit the newly designated EU Natura 2000 Special Protection Area for the Birds (SPA) on Andros Island. The successful cooperation of the assembled team produced a funding application of which stakeholders expressed enthusiastic support and which was submitted for consideration to the LIFE Unit of the European Commission.
The following is a summary of our project application.
Title: Management of the SPA site of Andros Island to achieve a Favorable Conservation Status for its priority species.
Project objectives: The present project aims to implement urgent conservation measures for direct conservation of all four priority species in the SPA (Special Protection Area) of Andros Island, Greece. The overall objective is to establish a well structured, effective, socially acceptable and economically viable Management Scheme for the SPA, capable of coordinating the activities of competent authorities within the site and carrying out the core management duties in order to achieve and maintain the favorable conservation status of priority species in the SPA as a result of its full scale operation.
Specifically, this 48 month project aims to create basic SPA management measures and infrastructure tailored to the needs of the wildlife species and local communities under the SPA Management Plan, and to form a permanent SPA Management Scheme which will then begin the implementation of a full-scale, long-term management of the Andros SPA through the deployment of the project’s concrete conservation actions for the direct protection of Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco Eleanorae*), Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus*), Audouin’s Gull (Larus audouinii*) and the Mediterranean Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii*). The results of these activities are expected to achieve a significant improvement of the conservation status of all four EU priority species in the Andros SPA through the mitigation of the urgent threats with which the species populations as well as their breeding and foraging habitats are faced. The actions foreseen are in accordance with the guidelines and priorities identified by the European Commission and BirdLife International in the International Species Action Plans for the 4 target species. An extensive public awareness and communication campaign will disseminate the project ethos, plans and results to the local society, visitors and the general public.
The project area is the recently established SPA site, “Andros: Kentriko kai notion tmima, gyro insides kai paraktia thalassia zoni”, GR4220028, which includes terrestrial and coastal habitats on Andros island and the surrounding islets. The SPA hosts 182 breeding pairs (p) of F. eleonorae, 2-3 p of H. fasciatus, more than 60p of P. aristotelis and 25-30p of L. audouinii. The conservation actions for the improvement of breeding and foraging habitats in association with the SPA Management Plan will create direct and immediate as well as long-term benefits on the selected local populations of the target species, while public awareness campaigns that inform visitors and residents alike will impact the future conservation of the entire population in the project region.
The project, which will be implemented by the Korthi Municipality in collaboration with the Hellenic Ornithological Society (BirdLife in Greece) and the nature consulting firm NCC Ltd., is the product of a 3 year collaboration for the conservation of the site. During the previous 2 years, the proposal was deemed to be ineligible for Life funding due to the fact that the site had not yet been officially declared as a SPA. Following the elimination of this obstacle in early 2010 with the formal delineation of the Andros SPA site, widespread local support for the project grew and aspirations have run high for the project’s species and habitat conservation actions.
The project partnership involves significant experience and expertise in the implementation of bird conservation projects, Life projects in particular. This experience will be used to tackle the following conservation problems that currently plague the proposed project site:
The absence of a SPA management plan and management authority devoted to the conservation of the site;
Significant predation by alien invasive species such as Black rats (Rattus rattus) on the eggs and nestlings in the islet breeding colonies of the target species;
Predation on nests belonging to L. audouinii and P. aristotelis and competition for food as a result of Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) populations;
Lack of suitable nesting habitats for island nesting birds;
Reduction and abandonment of traditional agricultural practices on terraces as well as degradation of coastal wetlands which have resulted in reduced insect and bird prey availability as well as F. eleonorae foraging habitat degradation;
Lack of protection and management of H. fasciatus breeding and foraging areas causing reduced Chukar partridge and pigeon prey availability;
Climate change which is impacting food distribution, availability and sufficiency as well as the foraging habitat quality of F. eleonorae and H. fasciatus;
Degradation of primary inshore seabird foraging areas due to human activities such as vessel anchoring resulting in reduced diversity and abundance of seabird prey species; and
Lack of public awareness about the actual threats currently faced by the target bird species, the importance of protecting their habitats and the conservation measures that can easily be implemented in the Natura 2000 network which contribute to ecotourism and employment creation in Aegean islands, public support and participation in conservation.
These threats and problems will be effectively dealt with in a series of actions implemented by the project partnership.
Actions and means involved:
Elaboration of the SPA Management Plan, operational plans and technical studies for the concrete conservation actions. These plans include target Species Action Plans, Monitoring, Surveillance Plans and a Public Information Dissemination Plan, sensitivity mapping, setting up of Favorable Reference Values for the 4 target species populations in the SPA, in order to achieve their favorable conservation status.
Production of a Feasibility Study for the SPA management to identify key parameters for the long term financial viability of the proposed SPA Management Scheme and to propose realistic funding sources for the Scheme.
Management of nesting habitat for the islet nesting bird species including rat eradications in selected colonies of F. eleonorae, L. audouinii and P. aristotelis and the control of local populations of L. michahellis for mitigation of egg/nestling predation and food competition and to increase breeding success of the target species.
Establishment of thickets of native shrubs and bushes and the creation of artificial nesting sites for islet nesting bird species, namely F. eleonorae and P. aristotelis, to increase the number of suitable nesting sites.
Identification, management and protection of primary marine foraging habitats for L. audouinii and P. aristotelis and installation of seagrass-friendly mooring buoys.
Identification of important terrestrial foraging areas of F. eleonorae, revitalization of agricultural fields to increase insect abundance, creation of small ponds and limited scale interventions of coastal wetland habitats to increase water availability and habitat quality for insects and migratory bird prey availability for F. eleonorae.
Management of Chukar (Alectoris chukar) and pigeon (Columba spp.) populations through local crop cultivation, watering and revitalization of traditional pigeon lofts to increase food availability of H. fasciatus.
Establishment and pilot operation of the SPA Management Scheme and the SPA surveillance- patrolling program.
Implementation of an extensive and well-focused public awareness campaign on the basis of the SPA Dissemination Plan, targeting various focus groups for the conservation of the target species as well as the promotion of the Natura 2000 network and protected areas on Andros. The campaign will involve environmental education activities; special publications; a documentary; an exhibition; stakeholder meetings; media work at the international, national, regional and local level; information signs; and extensive use of the internet media.
Implementation of workshops and formal meetings regarding concrete conservation actions and management of project SPA.
The overall project operation will be facilitated through careful and strict project management and the regular operation of the Project Steering Committee to monitor project actions and provide guidance for their implementation. Project scientific monitoring and networking will assess and enhance the effectiveness of the project actions.
Expected results (outputs and quantified achievements):
A well structured and effective project management to ensure smooth and effective project operation and implementation.
Production of SPA Management Plan, 4 target species Action Plans, Monitoring Plan, Surveillance Plan, Dissemination Plan and GIS compatible information infrastructure.
Establishment and pilot operation of the SPA Management Scheme and the Surveillance program.
A complete removal of accidentally introduced predators (i.e. rats) from at least 5 colonies of Falco eleonorae, Larus audouinii and Phalacrocorax aristotelis.
Yellow-legged gull population control in at least 3 of its colonies on islets around Andros affecting Larus audouinii.
Construction of at least 200 artificial nests and plantation of 100 endemic shrubs for improvement of nesting site availability for Falco eleonorae and Phalacrocorax aristotelis.
Revitalization of at least 10ha of terrace fields, traditional local crop farming and 3 pigeon lofts for the improvement of insect availability to Falco eleonorae, as well as pigeon and Chukar availability to Hieraaetus fasciatus.
Creation of 15 wildlife ponds and 5 ha of coastal wetland restoration interventions to improve prey abundance for priority raptors.
Installation and promotion of the use of seagrass-friendly mooring buoys and delineation of seasonal fishery restriction areas.
An overall improvement of public awareness among the general public and various focus groups about the socio-economic and biodiversity benefits of conserving the four target bird species and SPA site on Andros.
This project proposal was submitted by the Korthi Municipality to the LIFE Unit of the European Commission for funding consideration. It received the support of the Greek Ministry for the Environment, Energy & Climate Change the two remaining Municipalities of Andros Island (i.e. Chora and Ydroussa) as well as the support of the Union of Fishermen of the Southern Aegean.
The Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club,
in conjunction with the national Sierra Club, announces its endorsement
of candidate Richard Blumenthal for election as U.S. senator from
Connecticut.
“Richard Blumenthal’s experience, values, integrity, energy, and
dedication as the state’s Attorney General have been instrumental in
creating strong environment protections for the state. Connecticut is a
cleaner, healthier and more desirable place to live and work due to his
diligence and efforts” said Martin Mador, Political Co-Chair of the
Sierra Club’s Connecticut Chapter. “His role in enforcement of state law
and as an advocate in the legislative and administrative arenas for
strong protections has substantially improved the quality of life here.”
“Richard Blumenthal has worked with unfailing determination to protect
the environmental quality of Connecticut. He has pledged to continue to
be a vocal and strong proponent of our environment”, said John Blake,
Connecticut Sierra Chapter Chair. “We trust he will be a strong advocate
for rebuilding America’s economy and creating jobs by promoting clean
energy technologies, saving Americans money through energy efficiency
projects, promoting smart land use policies, restoring water protections
eroded by the courts, and reducing pollution. He strongly supports
assisting US industry as we move away from fossil fuels and towards a
clean energy economy. We expect that his environmental values will
inform his future work as a Senator as strongly as they have his past
work as the state’s Attorney General.”
“I have stood strong, with the Sierra Club and other environmental
advocates, against powerful special interests and even the federal
government when their actions or inaction have threatened Connecticut’s
environment and precious natural resources,” said Blumenthal. “I thank
the Sierra Club for their dedication to upholding high environmental
standards and for their endorsement of my candidacy. In the Senate I
will work to create clean energy jobs and fight just as tirelessly and
tenaciously as I have as Attorney General to preserve and protect our
environment.”
According to Wende Harper, Political Co-Chair, “Richard Blumenthal, in
his position as Attorney General, has vigorously advocated for these
protections. He has given notice to potential polluters, enforced the
laws appropriately when violations occurred, and asked the courts to
impose penalties when appropriate both to recover the costs of
remediation and to serve as a deterrent to future violations. He has
worked effectively with representatives of other states to require
compliance with federal laws and regulations on issues which affect
Connecticut.”
The Sierra Club recognizes the need for a strong and healthy economy.
Sierra believes that not only can this happen concurrently with
preservation of high environmental standards, but that achieving those
standards will actually help to promote job creation and a thriving
economy. Private profits derived at the expense of environmental health
do not add to a strong economy; they detract from it. Strong, effective,
and fairly enforced regulations provide what businesses say they need
most: certainty and predictability.
The Sierra Club believes corporations have an obligation to adhere to
the highest standards of environmental responsibility. Pollution created
as a result of any business process must be the financial
responsibility of the business. Both federal and state law over the past
40 years have adopted this philosophy. Corporate adherence to sound
business practices and strong environmental standards are both necessary
to a strong economy and a clean, healthy, and safe world in which to
live and work.
The Sierra Club, founded in 1892, is the nation’s oldest and largest
grassroots environmental organization. Its one million members,
volunteers and professional staff promote strong environmental standards
through grassroots action, legislation, litigation, and political
advocacy. The Sierra Club works to elect candidates who will enact
pro-environmental initiatives and whose leadership will help to protect
our communities and natural surroundings.
The Sierra Club recognizes these areas in which Mr. Blumenthal has
exercised his statutory responsibilities as Attorney General of the
state to protect our environment.
-Long Island Sound
-opposition to the Broadwater floating liquefied natural gas plant which was instrumental in the project’s defeat
-opposition to the Islander East pipeline, which would have caused significant damage to the Long Island sound seafloor
-Air quality
-insisted on new source review requirements for air protection upgrades for midwest power plants to protect out air quality
-challenges to the proposed St. Lawrence cement plant, which would emit significant amounts of toxins into the air
-challenge to EPA to allow states to more effectively regulate motor vehicle emissions through fuel efficiency
-challenge to the federal government to more appropriately limit atmospheric ozone
-lawsuit against emissions testing facility which failed to properly inspect vehicles’ emissions
-multi state lawsuit to prevent illegal mercury air discharges from power plants
-Global Warming
Recognition of CO as a pollutant causing global warming
-Open space
efforts to protect the Preserve in Old Saybrook, an irreplaceable old
growth forest challenge to illegal timber clear cutting activities
-lawsuit over illegal forest clear cutting to maximize billboard visibility
-lawsuit to prevent development on land permanent protected by a state conservation easement
-Toxics and Biohazards
-challenge to environmental impact statement endorsing Plum Island for use as a bio lab
-numerous lawsuits to prevent toxic hazardous wastes at illegal dump
sites and to require legal sites and landfills to handle wastes
appropriately
-lawsuit to close a massive illegal tire dump site contaminating a nearby river
-lawsuit to require labelling of ingredients on pesticide bags
-petition to the EPA to limit pesticides in children’s foods
-efforts to require manufacturers to properly dispose of toys containing lead
-settlement to settle kerosene contamination of wetlands and residential areas
-lawsuit to stop illegal and harmful mercury discharges from plant
-Animals
-crackdown on animal abuse and illegal animal fighting
-efforts to prevent the federal government from weakening Endangered Species Act wildlife protections
-Corporate Pollution
-lawsuit for violations of stormwater and waste management laws
-lawsuit for release of toxics to river adjacent to factory
-settlement to stop use and release of toxic cleaning products by commercial laundry
-Clean Energy
-finding that state dedicated clean energy funding cannot be diverted to other uses
-Nuclear Power
- efforts to ensure older nuclear power plants meet current safety and siting rules when they renew their licenses
-efforts to ensure appropriate storage of nuclear waste
-Right to Know
-efforts to oppose EPA limits on public release of information on release of toxics
