3 weeks of hard work on the set up of ARCHELON’s programs.

21 intense days and many hours of dedication in order to set up the 3 research stations in Crete, in Rethymno bay, in Chania bay and in Messara bay.

With the participation of more than 20 people who voluntarily leave the family security and find other people to share the same vision, the same purpose, the same objective: the protection of sea turtles in Crete.

21 emotional days so as all who happen to go through these three destinations this year, to visit the ARCHELON’s research stations and learn, see and hear through the volunteers’ eyes and experiences that this rare species is worthy protection and how the beaches of Crete can be protected. And why must they be protected? And finally, why do these people spend so many hours of voluntary work for all of that?

21 great days for the people of ARCHELON whose main concern is the induction of volunteers in suitable conditions, sustainable and decent to cope with the hours under the sun during the morning observation, the hours standing in front of an information table to discuss with thousands of people visiting the island, the hours they expose themselves in front of dozens of people by making presentations about sea turtle protection and those hours that remain to rest or to help with anything else that occurs like an injured turtle, a disoriented baby turtle, a nest that has moved, etc.

“Thank you” is not enough for all those people who work with ARCHELON. It is not enough even for people who support it through donations and any kind of volunteering. It is not enough for those who give their heart for this rare species making a favor in this country and on this island to visit each year and make people from around the world to gather on an island to protect its hatchlings.

With all our heart, we thank all these people in all the three programs of Crete who contributed their soul power, time from their everyday life, love for the volunteers and deep devotion to the sea turtle.

The volunteers of ARCHELON in Crete, are expecting you daily and all day long at the ARCHELON research station of Rethymno in the Venetian Harbour, Chania at the old port and the Messara at the entrance of Matala.

Information: Athanasia Nikolopoulou, Crete Program Coordinator, tel: 6937352379

Translation: Efi Tricha