Lily Venizelos is the founder and chairman of MEDASSET (Mediterranean Association to Save the SEa Turtles). Since 1983, she has been working to protect the sea turtle species in the Mediterranean. History
In 1983 Lily Venizelos took over as guardian of Laganas Bay on the Greek island of Zakynthos. This was (and is) the most important nest place of the untimely turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. She was alone in her struggle, but nevertheless took a worldwide campaign to maintain the nest. In 1986 she also played an important advisory role in maintaining the İztuzu beach at the Turkish Dalyan as the nest of the untimely turtle.
In 1987, Lily Venizelos received a "Global 500 Award", a prize that was first issued by the United Nations to people and organizations that had a special performance in the field of environmental protection.
In 1988, Lily Venizelos founded MEDASSET, an organization dedicated to research and protection of the two sea turtle species in the Mediterranean, the seriously endangered green sea turtle and the untimely turtle, and their Mediterranean habitats. Both species appear on the Red List of Endangered Species of the IUCN.
Through her contacts with politicians, governments, international organizations and institutes, Lily Venizelos MEDASSET and the fate of sea turtles in the Mediterranean region has put on the international map. She is a member of the Navy Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG) and of the IUCN. Zakynthos National Park
Thanks to the use of Lily Venizelos, Laganas Bay received the status of National Sea Park in 1999. Sources
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