The Vodafone Posidonia program, a collaborative effort between the Vodafone Foundation and the Oceanus-Lab team, has achieved a significant milestone with the first detailed mapping of 97,000 acres of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in Greek waters. Oceanus-Lab's scientists play a pivotal role in this project, applying their expertise to ensure the success of this ambitious environmental initiative.

Building on this success, the Vodafone Foundation and Oceanus-Lab have jointly launched the “Citizen Science” platform, posidonia.vodafone.gr. This platform is designed to engage the public in the preservation of Posidonia oceanica meadows, inviting everyone to become citizen scientists. Through the platform, users can easily contribute to scientific research and conservation efforts, expanding the understanding and protection of these vital ecosystems.

The Citizen Science platform serves as a key resource within the Vodafone Posidonia initiative, offering open access to a wealth of information about Posidonia oceanica. It provides insights into the critical ecosystem services these seagrass meadows offer and the challenges they face due to human impact. Oceanus-Lab’s ongoing research and data collection are integral to this platform, ensuring that the information shared is both accurate and impactful.

In addition to staying informed about the latest mapping missions, platform users will be able to immerse themselves in the underwater world of Posidonia oceanica, thanks to stunning visuals from the Vodafone Posidonia underwater observatory, powered by Vodafone's 5G Network. Moreover, users can actively participate in the conservation efforts by sharing their own photos and observations of Posidonia meadows, contributing to the creation of the first comprehensive map of these seagrass beds in Greek seas.

To promote the platform and raise awareness, the Vodafone Foundation, in collaboration with Oceanus-Lab, has launched a nationwide campaign. This initiative highlights the importance of Posidonia oceanica meadows through the eyes of children enjoying the sea, encouraging the public to discover and protect this invaluable part of the Mediterranean ecosystem.

In a time when environmental conservation is more critical than ever, the partnership between the Vodafone Foundation and Oceanus-Lab stands as a powerful force against the damaging effects of climate change and human activities on coastal zones. Since the program’s inception last September, Oceanus-Lab's team, led by Professor George Papatheodorou, Director of Oceanus-Lab, has meticulously mapped 325,000 acres of seabed, uncovering 97,000 acres of Posidonia oceanica meadows. Their work has begun in the Cyclades, specifically across seven islands: Syros, Paros, Antiparos, Despotiko, Mykonos, Delos, and Rineia.