Lemnos Island
North Aegean region, Greece
Restoring the blue lungs of Lemnos
Once believed to be home to Hephaestus’ legendary forge, Lemnos today is a stunning landscape shaped by volcanic forces, where coastal and marine ecosystems, wetlands, grasslands, ancient forests, and farmlands converge. Just off the coast lies the largest seagrass meadow in the eastern Mediterranean, spanning an impressive 82 km². The island’s sea teems with marine life and is particularly important to seabirds.
But Lemnos’ coastal wetlands are drying out in summer and suffering from rising salinity due to seawater intrusion. Its marine habitats face damage from anchoring and other human activities. On land, expanding agriculture, illegal construction, and growing tourism are straining the island’s delicate ecosystems. In response, the Hellenic Ornithological Society, BirdLife’s Partner in Greece, is working with local stakeholders to protect and restore this unique natural heritage.
Our Future Vision
Lemnos is a global model of habitat restoration and nature conservation. Nature-based solutions and sustainable development are at the heart of the local economy, with communities actively protecting their environment. Restored wetlands and marine ecosystems sustain thriving biodiversity, while sustainable farming practices supports the island’s residents. All key areas within the network of Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation are effectively protected and managed.
LEMNOS AT A GLANCE
200+
Bird Species
7+
Habitat types
47,760 Hectares on land
20,000 Hectares at sea
Habitat types
Wetlands, grasslands, coastal ecosystems, marine environments, sand dunes, uninhabited islets, farmland
Key Species
Monk Seal (Monachus monachus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Audouin’s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan), Mediterranean Pillow Coral (Cladocora caespitosa), Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica), Angelsharks (Squatina squatina, Squatina aculeata), Valonia oak (Quercus macrolepis)
Designations: Natura 2000 (Special Area of Conservation and Special Protected Area), Wildlife Refuges and small insular protected wetlands
Main causes of degradation
disruption and destruction from human activities, climate change impacts, agricultural pollution, water resource mismanagement
Our plan: Restoring the island for nature, people, and the planet
- Revive 1,000 hectares of wetlands by restoring their hydrological balance by constructing micro-dams, managing irrigation wells, and regulating fertilizer runoff from surrounding farmlands.
- Protect 20,000 hectares of marine ecosystems by designating non-anchoring areas and installing eco-friendly mooring fieldsto shield the expansive seagrass meadows.
- Transform 4,000 hectares of farmland into biodiversity-rich landscapes through sustainable farming techniques like crop rotation.
- Reestablish endangered wildlife like the Angel Shark and seabirds by reducing bycatch through training fishers, supporting both nature at sea and local livelihoods.
- Restore 24 hectares of dune ecosystems by removing invasive plants, replanting local flora and carefully managing tourism activities to minimise environmental impact
- Transform 4,000 hectares of farmland into biodiversity-rich landscapes through sustainable farming techniques like crop rotation.
- Eradicate invasive alien species across at least 100 hectares of islets surrounding Lemnos.
- Empower the island’s 16,000 residents through community-led restoration initiatives, creating sustainable livelihoods and fostering stewardship, particularly among the 2,500 who dependent on agriculture and fishing.
- Promote eco–tourism and sustainable travel,providing visitors with nature-friendly experiences while ensuring long-term protection for Lemnos’ fragile ecosystems.
“Lemnos is feeling the strain from growing tourism and climate change. But this is our chance to make a real difference. With a strong plan in place, we can create a future where both the island’s stunning nature and its people thrive. The time to act is now, and together we can breathe new life into Lemnos!”Nikos Tsiopelas – Project manager at HOS
