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Natural evolution of E.S.S... |
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Earth Sea and Sky was
established in Zakynthos in 1993 by Yannis Vardakastanis.
Yannis became a conservationist in 1991 and has been
steadily working to protect Gerakas where he grew up, from
tourism development. Since 1993 he has directed his energy
into bringing conservation and sustainable tourism together,
culminating in Ionian Eco Vilagers and Nature World Travel -
his green tourism companies - and has been actively involved
with conservation work on the island ever since.
In 1996
Earth Sea & Sky funded and built the Sea Turtle &
Wildlife Information Centre at Gerakas - the only one on the
island now - to encourage visitors to take a closer look at
the rich heritage, natural beauty, wildlife and culture of
Zakynthos, and to promote the need for sustainable
tourism.
"We’re guarding this place for those who have not
yet been born"
As a direct result of the
Information Centre and the increasing pressure exerted on
local government by European laws, Gerakas beach has now
reduced the number of sunbeds from 180 approx. in 1998 down to
120 in the year 2000. The important nesting area to the left
side of the beach being freed to allow easy access to nesting
turtles. In addition, all pedalos and boating activities have
been banned from the area.
Relocation of Sea
Turtles, July 2000 Earth Sea & Sky played a crucial
role in the successful airlift and relocation of three injured
loggerhead sea turtles from Greece, to the Sea Life
Bioservices Centre in Weymouth. The turtles had been cared for
at the STPS Rescue Centre in Glyfada, Athens, but their
injuries, a consequence of fishing net entanglement and human
attack had rendered them unfit for release into the wild. Now
receiving specialist veterinary care, they will help to raise
funds, and draw attention to the threats of sea turtles in the
wild.
Coastal Clean up Campaign, Summer 2000
During the summer 2000 season, Earth Sea and Sky teamed up
with the STPS and Daniel Caute a British conservationist to
launch a Coastal Clean up campaign. The aim of the campaign
was to actively involve tourists in conservation work whilst
promoting the importance of the newly designated National
Marine Park on Zakynthos.
The Laganas bay beaches are
under immense pressure from tourists, who use the beaches in
the daytime. A team of volunteers protected these sites for
the turtles, which only come ashore after dark to lay their
eggs, by stacking sun beds and clearing away litter and larger
debris each evening. Years of neglect had taken their toll on
several almost inaccessible sites such as Vrodonero, where
steep cliffs provide an ideal walled sanctuary for endangered
sea birds, turtles and Monk seals. Our team of volunteers
cleared them of decades of drift waste. A long term habitat
improvement for wildlife. For more information on volunteer
work please visit our volunteer activities page.
"Maybe we
can’t save the world, but with your support we can save a
little corner of it."
Talks Slide Shows and
talks are presented throughout the summer season by the STPS
and groups at the Gerakas Information centre in Zakynthos.
During the winter months Earth Sea & Sky continue the
message by presenting illustrated lectures and slide shows to
schools, colleges and special interest groups throughout the
United Kingdom & Greece.
Should you be interested
in holding a fundraising event through your school or
organisation then please contact:
This web site designed & maintained by:
Web designers, multimedia products, business
presentations & theatre
services.
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Creation of myths...
The legendary strength of
the sea turtle is central to the creation myths of many
peoples, who believed that if the turtle disappeared the world
would end.
Our logo is based on an ancient Mayan
symbol, and depicts the turtle swimming in an infinite sea to
eternally separate earth from sky.
A
personal view...
"When I was a child there were long hot summer days
when it was just me and the turtles. Long before my island
home became a package tourist destination I can remember
walking barefoot down through the woods and across the meadows
and olive groves which led to Gerakas beach and the big blue.
The buzz of the insects, the singing of the birds and the
sound of the sea were music to my ears.
I didn’t fully
appreciate it at the time, but I was living in god’s pocket.
It was the only world I knew and I probably thought every
other kid in the world was enjoying life in a similar
landscape. We didn’t have very much in those days; we were
very poor in fact.
As I have grown older and visited a
good number of the many countries of this world, I have come
to realise that less is more, that living at one with nature
is the true home of the human spirit and being born to it was
my great good fortune.
The summer days are still as
long and hot, as they were when I was a child, but I rarely
find myself alone with turtles, on the Gerakas beach of today.
When I do, I whisper my apologies and promise them that help
is coming."
Yannis Vardakastanis - an Ionian
Islander
Earth Sea &
Sky
Earth
Sea & Sky is a Not for profit organisation, Registration
No. 4123700. Endorsed by the European SeaLife Conservation
Scheme and dedicated to the protection and conservation of the
flora and fauna of Zakynthos and the Greek Ionian. Funds are
generated through individual membership, and
donations.
VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
Ionian
Eco Villagers Presentation
Earth
Sea & Sky Presentation
Nature World Travel
Presentation
Each link will play in
a popup window
Tourism Award 2007...
ESS won a highly commended in 2007 Virgin Responsible Tourism
Award for protection of an endangered species. More info...
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