ARCHELON shared a message for a better and more sustainable planet in Zakynthos
The results of the effort invested by the Zakynthos project last summer in informing and raising public awareness is impressive. Over 27,000 visitors responded to the actions for the protection of the sea turtles on the island. Fraport Greece in collaboration with Air France supported the participation of volunteers for this purpose.
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos stands out for its unique coastal landscape and biodiversity, including, of course, the loggerhead sea turtles that nest on the beaches of Laganas Bay every summer. ARCHELON volunteers monitor the loggerhead nesting activity in collaboration with the Marine Park every summer, while at the same time systematically try to convey the message for a better and more sustainable planet in Zakynthos.
Thousands of visitors are arriving to the island for their holidays in recent years and they often do not know the rules of conduct they must follow on the beaches. The increased number of tourists in the summer of 2022 brought the need to strengthen the public awareness activities of the projects. "In July we had to attract more volunteers in order to carry out the public awareness actions effectively in Zakynthos", explains ARCHELON’s Director, Daphne Mavrogiorgos. "Fraport Greece and Air France responded to this need by sponsoring the participation of volunteers who might not have been able to participate at their own expense", she continues.
Mr. Savvas Karagiannis, Corporate Communications Manager of Fraport Greece, said: "Our partnership with Air France, with the aim of supporting the work of ARCHELON work for the protection of sea turtles is the practical proof of Fraport Greece's commitment to the promotion and cultivation of environmental awareness, for everyone. We must not forget that such actions increase the ecological footprint in the local community, a condition that for us at Fraport Greece, is an integral pillar of our corporate identity".
ARCHELON’s seasonal Information Station in the city of Zakynthos operated for over 900 hours providing information on sea turtles, the threats they face and ways to protect them. However, ARCHELON’s volunteers did not stop there. They made over 700 presentations to 18 partner businesses to inform as many visitors as possible. Finally, more than 27,000 people responded to this effort!
This summer, the turtles will return to Laganas Bay to lay their eggs and tourists will return to Laganas Bay to spend their holidays. Volunteer applications have already begun. Find out how you too can become a volunteer in ARCHELON's protection programs here.
A Workshop for sea turtle care became a reality
ARCHELON volunteers and sea turtles in Crete star in a new film by EyeQ Productions
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS26/06/2024
Sea Turtles Surprise us: if you see tracks on the beach, help ARCHELON's research!
Not all beaches on Greece's extensive coastline are suitable for sea turtle nesting, but sometimes these marine reptiles surprise us! This summer, ARCHELON is asking for your help to investigate a phenomenon called "sporadic nesting".
- OUR NEWS17/06/2024
ATTENTION! Sea turtles are not pets: Do not touch them or feed them!
In areas where a sea turtle associates human presence with food, it’s behavior changes. The turtle treats humans as well as other turtles as competitors in its feeding grounds and tries to drive them away with bites.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2024
30 Years of Hope: The Sea Turtle Rescue Centre of ARCHELON Celebrates World Sea Turtle Day
Every year on June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about these magnificent creatures and the threats they face. This year is particularly important for ARCHELON, as the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre marks 30 years of operation.
- OUR NEWS13/06/2024
Poster contest for children and young adults: Welcome the 2024 turtle hatchlings on the beaches!
Watercolors, markers, collage, computer, phone? Everything is useful. Use your creativity and imagination to make an A3 or A4 size poster announcing that the 2024 sea turtle eggs are about to hatch.
- OUR NEWS17/05/2024
Amvrakikos Project 2024: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- OUR NEWS16/05/2024
Τhe nesting of loggerhead sea turtles started earlier this year and the effects of the climate crisis on the oceans are worrying
For the first time, in the 40 years of ARCHELON records, the first sea turtle nest was found in Laganas Gulf, Zakythos on May 10th. Scientific predictions of the nesting season moving earlier in the spring due to climate change are being confirmed.
- OUR NEWS14/05/2024
Save Turtles, See Greece on a Budget
Dreaming of pristine Greek beaches and a chance to make a real difference? Here's why June and September are the perfect months to volunteer with sea turtle conservation efforts in Greece!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
Sea Turtle Festival for Kids 2024
Save the date! On Saturday 18 May at 11:00, the ARCHELON Rescue Centre opens its doors to welcome young and old sea turtle friends who want to celebrate, explore, learn, play and travel magically in the Mediterranean Sea. We are waiting for you to strengthen our message for a better and sustainable planet!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
A successful year for the International Sea Turtle Symposium
The International Sea Turtle Symposium concluded triumphantly this March in Pattaya, Thailand, with ARCHELON actively participating.
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.
- OUR NEWS12/04/2024
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2024
"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.
- OUR NEWS04/04/2024
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece
- OUR NEWS03/04/2024
Citizens inform us of sea turtle strandings
ARCHELON started the effort to record the incidents of dead turtles washing up on the Greek shores in 1992. In recent years there has been an increase in these records which may be due to more of our fellow citizens reporting such incidents. Learn more…