About

Lemnos Marine Conservation is a nonprofit organization working together with EU based NGOs to protect the biodiversity of the sea in Lemnos. We are passionate about involving the community every step of the way as we gather data through the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, while engaging “citizen scientist volunteers” from schools and the community. Citizen scientists are public volunteers and/or students who conduct research and often help to find solutions through gathering data to share with researchers on projects. Together we create a community of volunteers for marine research.

Our Plan 2025-2027

Our mission

Lemnos Marine Conservation Group, LMC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the sustainability and protection of the Lemnos marine and land environment. The mission of LMC is to work with the Lemnos locals to identify and conserve the precious biodiversity both in and around the island. This work will serve as an example of community participation, resilience and a prototype for other Greek islands and globally.

Jacques Cousteau often spoke of the ocean’s role in producing oxygen. The world’s oceans are so remarkable that they are often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth.” We also know that effects of the planet’s warming, pollution and overfishing is dramatically changing our seas. The sea and land are one.

We have accomplished our urgent short term goal to fund a 7-day Lemnos Expedition 2024, carried out by our scientific partner the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (AIMC). They are planning a follow up short expedition this Spring 2025 to complete their data collection, but AIMC has already identified targeted conservation actions that are necessary.

Founders

Claudia Sherwood-Servidio

Founder Lemnos Marine Conservation, LMC

Claudia Sherwood-Servidio is the Founder of Lemnos Marine Conservation. She has photographed throughout the world and her underwater free diving and photography in Lemnos for the last 25 years has both informed and inspired her to be a part of a community shared mission to protect the biodiversity of the Lemnos seas.

Peter Zaharatos

Co-Founder Lemnos Marine Conservation, LMC

Peter Zaharatos is the CoFounder of Lemnos Marine Conservation. He is a U.S. Architect and board member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in NYC, leading climate initiatives for the church.

Debra Apruzzese

Financial Administrator Lemnos Marine Conservation, LMC

Debra Apruzzese Lemnian Greek-American motivated to leave the world a better place. Her passion to restore and protect whole ecosystems is reflected in both her personal and professional life. www.linkedin.com/in/debraapruzzese

Evaggelos Zaharatos

Education and Sustainability Advisor, LMC

Evaggelos is a Lemnian Greek-American Architect who works on Design and Construction projects in the United States and Greece. He has worked on sustainability projects, urban heat mitigation strategies, urban agricultural practices and personal development through gardening programs in schools. Evaggelos has also lived and worked in Greece for 7 years. He has worked on archeological exhibitions with the Museum of Cycladic Arts in Athens. He enjoys freediving and playing music including the ancient Greek and Cretan lyres.

George Zaharatos

Financial Advisor Lemnos Marine Conservation, LMC

George Zaharatos is a Lemnian Greek-American and serves as Chief Financial Advisor and Strategist for Lemnos Marine Conservation. George is a principal in KPMG’s Trade and Customs practice and global lead partner for data and technology and co-lead partner for Trade & Sustainability. George is responsible for assisting a broad range of U.S. multi-national and foreign-owned clients with trade and customs matters.

Dimitrios Tsouvalas

LMC Operations Consultant

Dimitri is a seasoned maritime professional and Shipping Consultant with extensive vessel operations experience and advanced credentials in shipping business management, safety, and environmental stewardship.

Partners

Anastasia Miliou

Scientific Director, of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

Anastasia is a Hydrobiologist and she is the Greek Ambassador in the EU for Sustainable Maritime Policy and an expert on marine conservation.

Katerina Zourou

Managing Director of Web2learn

Katerina is a recognised researcher in the area of technology-enhanced education, focusing on open and social learning. Katerina is the Managing Director of Web2Learn, a research and development company in Thessaloniki, Greece, established in 2014.

Jelena (Yel’-eh-na) Petljanski

Jelena is Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager for Central and Eastern Europe at Ball Corporation. As part of Ball’s European sustainability team, she works on sustainability initiatives with Ball’s customers, as well as on sustainable business programs within the company itself. She is the President of the Alliance for Circular Packaging

Uma Kis

Uma is a digital and marketing creative with a strong focus on sustainability, community engagement and brand storytelling, building campaigns that bridge creativity and social impact through thoughtful authentic communication. She works with film festivals such as Dunav Film Festival, Frech Film Festival in Belgrade, Auteur Film Festival, Exit Music festival, and Dev9t Art Festival.

Maria Troullou

Maria is the Chief of Operations at Alchemia-Nova Greece, overseeing operations, R&D implementation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. She holds an MA in Cultural Studies and New Technologies and brings over 15 years of experience managing EU-funded and national programs across the public and private sectors, specializing in environmental literacy and social innovation.

Polymnia Dagzidou

Polymnia has a background in pharmacy and over 20 years of professional experience. She is the co-founder and CEO of Alchemia-Nova Greece, which she established in 2019, and has since dedicated her work to advancing a sustainable and circular future. Over the past six years, she has led and contributed to numerous EU-funded projects, focusing on circular reuse models and nature-based solutions.

María de Lourdes Angeles Topete

Maria has a background in landscape architecture, with experience in environmental education and ecosystem restoration projects. She has worked on sustainability-oriented landscape and waste management initiatives and founded Grato Paisaje, a venture focused on sustainable landscape design in Mexico. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Policy and joined alchemia-nova Greece as an intern trained in nature-based solutions, systemic design, and circular economy approaches.

Nemanja Janić

Nemanja based in Serbia, is currently Chief Executive Officer at Solagro Smart Recycling. Nemanja Janić brings experience from previous roles at Mlekoz and Solagro - Future of recycling. Nemanja Janić holds a University of Belgrade.

Francis Serrano

NOAA

Francis is a Biologist with multi-faceted experience, including participation in Environmental, Marine, and Genomics fields with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology from Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters degree in Fisheries Management from the University of Miami. Francis is an entrepreneur, co-founder and board member of non profit MAY Kids, and has been working as a research scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s laboratory based in Miami for the past four years. Skilled in Scientific Writing, Communication, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Content Creation, Design and Marketing, Francis is an accomplished young professional passionate about mentoring and empowering youth to follow their dreams and utilizing their passion to uplift and improve local communities.