Coupling our research and conservation actions, Archipelagos Institute aims to also raise awareness about the unique nature and biodiversity of the Aegean Sea and islands. In regards to this, Archipelagos’ Media Team has been hard at work creating three large posters which were installed this week in Samos International Airport. The purpose is to provide information to both visitors and locals who travel through airport, aiming to engage them in the efforts to conserve the rare natural wealth of Samos.

One of the posters is dedicated to the marine life around the island, with photographs of Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus), the Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Sea Stars and highly biodiverse and colorful life in the coastal waters. The other posters are describing the unique terrestrial and wetland life on Samos showing pictures of a variety of terrestrial species such as the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), the Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), as well as numerous rare and protected species of birds and flowers.

In general, the public may not be conscious about the environment and uniqueness of some of the species habituating this biodiversity haven. Therefore, these posters are crucial in order to inform people about the biodiversity on Samos which is considered the most biodiverse island of the Mediterranean. So what better place to inform locals and tourists about the biodiversity than an airport?

These posters will be an essential addition to the awareness raising efforts carried out by Archipelagos Institute in many parts of Greece; and to help raise awareness about the conservation efforts we are taking on a daily basis to protect and preserve biodiversity of the Aegean and the NE Mediterranean Sea. Therefore we hope, everyone passing the posters will take time to inform themselves about the biodiversity of Samos and that hopefully they will “Admire with Respect”.

Talaya Kautz

BS in Mass Communications, Bemidji State University, USA