Career
Lily Venizelos has devoted over two decades to the conservation, study and protection of sea turtles and their habitats throughout the Mediterranean. By unceasing lobbying of the Greek government, and international conservation organisations, she secured protective measures for loggerhead sea turtles in their most important Mediterranean breeding ground on the island of Zakynthos. Through the media, writing articles, publishing papers, attending environmental education seminars and addressing symposia and conferences, she has assisted in public awareness of the plight of these species.
She is regularly invited to give lectures throughout the world on sea turtle conservation and related Mediterranean problems.
Venues have included, among others The Royal Geographical Society, United Kingdom (1987).
The European Youth Centre (Council of Europe), France (1987). The Archaeological Society of Greece (1988).
United States of America International Sea Turtle Symposia, United States of America (1990, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007).
Okayama Broadcasting television Debate, Japan (1992). Universities of Kent, Bournemouth and Glasgow, United Kingdom (1994). Alexander Koenig Museum, Germany (1996), Zoological Society, Scotland (2000).
Her work has led to protective measures being taken to improve the conservation status of the loggerhead sea turtle in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece, an important habitat of nesting Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean, and have resulted in legislation for their protection and in the constitution of a National Marine Park (1999).
