The Rhamnous Earth Day Beach Clean-Up on April 17 was a dramatic success.  Rhamnous is the most unspoiled corner of eastern Attiki, the ancient home of the goddess Nemesis. Volunteers mobilized by the Hellenic-American Democratic Association collected an estimated 1800 kg of trash in some 90 huge sacks.  They raked the bushes, reached under fences, and formed a huge human chain to pass debris over steep, rocky trails from the beaches to the road.  They left the Rhamnous beach, picnic areas, access road and footpath again pristine to enchant a new season of visitors.

More than 60 volunteers took part, including writers, students, teachers, pensioners, and nature lovers.  Friendly hikers and visitors saw the work in progress and pitched in.  The U.S., Greece, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Canada, and Ukraine were all represented.  Volunteers shared a communal Mediterranean picnic, and then visited the archaeological site to admire the work of archaeologist Vasilis Petrakos and pay tribute to Nemesis at her ancient temple.

The bulk of the trash was packaging materials, including plastic bottles, cans, sacks, styrofoam, and food wrappers, some of it blown from fishing boats, much of it – including old iron, automobile tires and derelict furniture – left by insensitive visitors.  This all joined the pile outside the Aghia Marina chapel, bound eventually for Athens' overflowing landfill at Ano Liosia. 

Special thanks are due to the following people and institutions:

But particular thanks to the volunteers, people who love the Greek landscape, who came together to protect Rhamnous's unique combination of nature and human toil as a treasure for all times and all peoples.