The sea breathes again: The first pilot program for the restoration of zostera meadows in Greece

Dionysis Karvelis, Project Manager for Enalea, emphasizes: “This collaboration between a social enterprise, an academic institution and a large company highlights the need for collective action and scientific innovation, which is not limited only to environmental restoration but also to the empowerment of local communities, especially fishermen, who are a crucial part of sustainable development.

Zostera: The secret meadows that clean and protect

Below the surface of the sea, green meadows spread that few know about but we all benefit from them. Zostera offer shelter and food to a multitude of marine organisms, clean the marine environment by absorbing pollutants and carbon dioxide, while strengthening the resilience of coasts against the climate crisis. The aim of the program is to plant young plants and monitor their growth, so that these meadows are not only protected, but also reborn.

Young people are the protagonists in this journey of restoration. Postgraduate students and researchers from the University of Ioannina are utilizing their knowledge and expertise in the field, collecting critical data and contributing substantially to the preservation of biodiversity. For them, science is action, and action leads to sustainable change. Professor of the Department of Biological Applications & Technologies, Mr. Ioannis Leonardos, said in this regard: “The University of Ioannina has scientific teams that are active in innovative techniques, aiming to apply them for the benefit of both the environment and the local community. Initiatives such as this strengthen the education of young scientists and contribute to the utilization of knowledge for the common good.”

A first step towards the future we deserve

This initiative is part of the broader sustainability strategy of Nestlé Hellas. Since 2019, the company has been collaborating with Enaleia in the “Mediterranean Cleanup” program, supporting marine litter removal actions with the contribution of professional fishermen. Thousands of tons of plastic waste have been collected from the Argosaronic, Thermaic, Evoikos and Amvrakikos Gulfs, leading to sorting and recycling.

The CEO of Nestlé Hellas, Nikos Emmanouilidis, emphasized: “Our collaboration with Enaleia, which began in 2019, culminates in the seagrass restoration program, the first of its kind, which we are implementing in collaboration with the Department of Zoology of the University of Ioannina. This initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability and the protection of natural resources, while at the same time enabling the new generation of researchers to innovate and actively contribute to solutions for the future. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential to address the challenges of climate change.”

The restoration of the zostera meadows in the Amvrakikos is the first chapter of a new story. A story that speaks of the power of knowledge, collaboration and action, with the aim of preserving the ecosystems that are the foundation of our very existence.

Nestlé Hellas and Enaleia prove that sustainability is not a simple promise. It is a choice, an investment and a responsibility. And every small zostera plant that takes root in the waters of the Amvrakikos is a reminder that the future is built with actions – not words.