Keanu Groeneveld, a Wildlife Management student from the Netherlands, recently completed an internship with ARCHELON at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Rethymno, Crete. His experience was more than ever expected; it was a transformative journey that ignited his passion for wildlife conservation. "I chose ARCHELON because I wanted to make a real impact with focus on research and conservation," Keanu explained. "The Rethymno Project in Crete offered the perfect opportunity to learn about sea turtle protection and contribute to their conservation efforts."

Keanu's days were filled with a variety of tasks, from conducting beach surveys to educating tourists about the threats facing sea turtles “The fun part about volunteering with ARCHELON is that there are so many different tasks you can do and learn from”, he explains. "One of the most rewarding experiences was witnessing a sea turtle laying her eggs! Seeing such an ancient creature fulfilling her natural instinct was simply breathtaking", he remembers.

Life in the ARCHELON camp was an integral part of Keanu's experience: "We'd often wake up early to start our beach surveys and we would be greeted with the most beautiful sunrises of the world," he recalls. "In my free time, I'd explore the local town to enjoy some Cretan culture and food or even prepare meals for the rest of the volunteers".

Keanu's time with ARCHELON left a lasting impression on him: "Back in the Netherlands you would hear how sea turtles are threatened, but witnessing the situation in person made me realize that those threats are more urgent than I ever imagined. Tourism, in particular, can have a devastating impact on their nesting beaches” he explains. “Fortunately there are some simple steps we can follow on those beaches to ensure their survival".

"I would highly recommend volunteering with ARCHELON to anyone who is passionate about conservation", Keanu concluded. "Not only will it change you as a person, help you develop new skills or gain new friends, but it will also make a real difference for the sea turtle population. You will take part in ensuring that these turtles remain in this world for many years to come".

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey and make a difference? Join ARCHELON's 2025 Volunteering Projects! Together, we can protect sea turtles and preserve their habitats for generations to come.