Announcement for all past volunteers of ARCHELON: Shall we meet this September?
This year marks 40 years of ARCHELON’s action for protecting sea turtles in Greece. During the last four decades a total of approx. 15,000 of volunteers from 25 countries joined the ZAK, KYP, LAK, RETH, CHAN, MESS, KOR, AMVR sea turtle projects (do you still recall these acronyms?) and the Rescue Centre, to help save the turtles. It may be the right time to celebrate the 40th birthday of ARCHELON by organizing one or more homecoming events that will be held on a nesting beach and/ or at the Rescue Centre.
The idea is for us to meet, visit the beaches and the info kiosks, and celebrate the nests and the animals we saved during all these years. We have identified a suitable period for the homecoming events: any of the days between the 8th to17th of September. During this period we can organize just a one day event on one location (e.g. Kyparissia or the Rescue Centre) or up to 5 one-day (smaller) events in different project locations on different dates. A one-day event can include a visit to the project and lunch or dinner. In any case, you will need to organise your accommodation and transport privately and we will all share food expenses.
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Think about combining this reunion with your holidays, and whether you would like to join with family or friends.
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Reach out to people that you have volunteered with in ARCHELON and spread the word.
If you are interested to join such a reunion please help us organise it properly by filling the document below preferably until the end of June. In case you would like to dedicate more days to the reunion: you could participate in some activities related to the projects (for example morning survey, public awareness, nest excavations). Please mention this option in your response.
You will hear back from us as soon as possible after that, confirming the final place(s) and date(s) of the reunion, so that travel arrangements can be completed from your side. We hope to receive many responses and meet with you in September!
Click the link below and fill out the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddMxcERtkUJjcyMMKNRr3jLlENj2BkdtsCEsejsw_w3e85fQ/viewform?usp=pp_url
PS. A special event for the celebration of 40 years of ARCHELON is scheduled for November 8, 2023 at the Auditorium of Benaki Museum in Athens. If you would like to participate in this event, please check this option so that we can send an invitation. We would love to have you with us.
A Saturday unlike any other - Turtle Festival 2023
Waiting list for schools that want to visit the ARCHELON Rescue Centre
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS12/09/2025
Τhe first green sea turtle nest has hatched in Naxos island!
The emergence of a nest on Naxos is a sign that the geographical range of this threatened species in the Mediterranean may be expanding.
- OUR NEWS09/09/2025
School Tours at ARCHELON: Reserve Your Spot from September 11
The magical world of sea turtles and the people who are taking care of them is waiting, offering you a unique experience and valuable knowledge.
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The first report of 2025 delivered from Romanos Beach, Messinia
From mid-May to early September 2025, the project recorded about 80 nests along the 2.7 km stretch of Romanos beach.
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
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September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
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This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire
After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.
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ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS09/07/2025
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas