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Kategorie: Highlights in an Explorer’s Life

My „Firsts“ and a summary of major achievement

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During a birding excursion to the English Gardens of Munich, in 1947 I had the privilege to meet Dr. Philipp Lehrs. I was just ten years old, thrilled by the opportunity to learn „live“ more about animals.. Dr. Lehrs was a distinguished, free-working herpetologist. He recognized my keen interest and over several years introduced me to a host of knowledge. He also made available books from his exquisite library which I inherited all when Philipp Lehrs died in 1956.

Among these herpetological publications was the separatum aus den Sitzungsberichten der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, „Herpetologia aegaea“ (1953) by Otto von Wettstein of Vienna, dedicated by a personal note to his dear friend Lehrs. Searching at once through the pages I discovered that the herpeto - (as much as the other) fauna on most islands of the Northern Sporades had never been investigated. ...weiterlesen "Northern Sporades – how it all began"

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From the white marble sculptures of the Skantzoura coast some scant indication of a trail leads inland through juniper woodlands and olive groves - up the main ridge of the island's gentle hills. It had taken me decades to finally venture up there and explore what appears like a vision of several lucid buildings against the skyline. ...weiterlesen "Skantzoura – the elusive monastery"

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Seven small islands of great beauty and physical diversity are located along the north - western coast of Skantzoura: Kóraka, Prasoù (=Skandíli), Kyriáko, Strongylò, Polemikà, Kas(s)ídis and one more islet (= Lachanoù?).

Facing from the seaside this green archipelago, one can sense its rather undisturbed marine wilderness character: it may happen that you watch a seal passing peacefully on the surface through the cannel between Strongylò and Skantzoura and at the same time you listen to the jelling cries of the Eleonora's falcons above your head and even may spot a flock of bright Audouini's gulls hovering over the current near the neighbouring island of Kyriáko... all at the same time. ...weiterlesen "Skantzoura – satellite islands"

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part two

It follows my second letter to Mr. Yeroulanos; see copy of first page in part one


Dr. Thomas Schultze-Westrum   Kaisertsr. 52     8000 München 40

Marine National Park Project NORTHERN SPORADES


Status Report December 1976 prepared for:

Mr. Marinos Yeroulanos

Executive Secretary

National Council for

Physical Planning and Environment

Ministry of Coordination,

Athens

...weiterlesen "Northern Sporades conservation area – continued"

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Part one

The initiative proposal for the first marine conservation area in the Mediterranean Region is well documented by the respective correspondence and memos of the time: I am presenting here first page copies of the letters dated 6 October, 1976 (total 7 pages) and 23 December, 1976 (total again 7 pages plus 3 maps) . The reader should become aware that this proposal (with much follow up correspondence not published here) was fully representative and was adopted by the Greek authorites concerned - initially there existed no Ministry of Environment, but only the National Council for Physical Planning at the Ministry of Coordination. Actually the suggestions for physical planning as laid out in the proposal of 6 October 1976 (cf. text below) presented a wider framework than was ever considered in the procedures of  implementing the conservation measures.

...weiterlesen "Northern Sporades conservation area"