07/02/2023

ARCHELON volunteers and sea turtles in Crete star in a new film by EyeQ Productions

Have you ever wondered what is going on in one of ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Protection Projects? Get a taste of the volunteering actions in the new video filmed on the beach of Rethymno...

movie_crete1.jpg

Every year, from May to October, i.e. during the sea turtle nesting season, volunteers from all over the world arrive in Zakynthos, Peloponnese and Crete, Greece. Determined to offer a part of their summer to the sea turtles, they camp at the organized Research Stations that ARCHELON operates in these areas.

The film "Volunteers protecting sea turtles in Greece" was created in collaboration with EyeQ Productions based in Heraklion, Crete. The production team met Lydia Koutrouditsou, ARCHELON’s Project Manager for Crete, who welcomed them to the Rethymno project.

movie_crete2.jpg

"We chose to live with ARCHELON volunteers in Rethymno and record their daily life. We wanted to understand why so many people from all over the world choose to spend their summer protecting sea turtles. Our experience there, the smiles and stories of the volunteers as well as the little turtles we saw running towards the sea, was our answer!", says director Vangelis Kalaitzis from EYEQ, who took over the mini doc.

"We collected a large amount of material of great interest, which could become a longer documentary. But we had to make a shorter film that still captures the energy and the work that happens there", he adds.

movie_crete4.jpg

The film was shot in Rethymno, but the work and the lives of the volunteers are similar in all the sea turtle protection projects that ARCHELON has been organizing for almost 40 years.

"At the end of the projects on the nesting beaches every year, we ask the opinion of all the volunteers on various issues related to their experience, through a questionnaire", says Fryni Papanikolaou, ARCHELON’s Volunteers Officer. "In the summer of 2022, however, we had the opportunity to capture their views and experiences at the Rethymno project through this short film", she continues.

movie_crete4.jpg

If you are wondering what your participation in one of the projects could be like, you can watch the short film on ARCHELON’s YouTube channel and... apply here.

RECENT NEWS

  1. OUR NEWS
    09/09/2024

    Educational Programs 2024-2025: Inspire the Next Generation of Conservationists with ARCHELON!

    Last year, 15,000 students arrived at the Rescue Centre and were fascinated by the wonders of sea turtle conservation.

    Read more
  2. OUR NEWS
    02/09/2024

    LIFE MareNatura Marine Conservation School: ARCHELON and NECCA train staff to protect sea turtles

    This pioneer Training Seminar titled "Management and protection of the Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas species" was designed with the aim of transferring special and necessary knowledge for the protection of the sea turtles from the competent bodies.

    Read more
  3. OUR NEWS
    30/08/2024

    Local Resort leads the way in protecting Zakynthos' sea turtles

    In the summer of 2023, Domes Aulus Zante, Autograph Collection Resort stepped forward to support ARCHELON's mission adopting 70 turtle nests!

    Read more
  4. OUR NEWS
    27/08/2024

    ARCHELON Launches Comprehensive Study to Protect Sea Turtle Nesting Sites

    Read more
  5. OUR NEWS
    05/08/2024

    A Major Leap for Sea Turtle Conservation: Tracking Loggerheads Across the Mediterranean

    Last month our team successfully completed the attachment of satellite transmitters to 20 individuals found near the beaches of west and south Peloponnese as well as those of Crete.

    Read more
  6. OUR NEWS
    31/07/2024

    Urgent Call for Volunteers: Are you looking for a meaningful adventure? Join in to save sea turtle hatchlings!

    We’re urgently seeking volunteers to help protect sea turtles in Greece during August and September. Come and help the hatchlings reach the sea! ARCHELON will offer discounts to the first 50 volunteers who sign up now for the projects.

    Read more
  7. OUR NEWS
    29/07/2024

    Help Hatchlings Reach the Sea: Keep Nesting Beaches Dark for Sea Turtles!

    Vacationing on a beautiful Greek beach with a sea view? You can be a hero for baby sea turtles!

    Read more
  8. OUR NEWS
    15/07/2024

    Ecotourism in Peloponnese and Crete: Explore a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach

    ARCHELON offers a unique ecological experience for the lucky and aware travelers who will find themselves this summer on important Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches that the Association protects.

    Read more
  9. OUR NEWS
    26/06/2024

    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".

    Read more
  10. OUR NEWS
    17/06/2024

    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.

    Read more
  11. OUR NEWS
    16/06/2024

    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.

    Read more
  12. OUR NEWS
    13/06/2024

    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.

    Read more
  13. OUR NEWS
    17/05/2024

    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.

    Read more
  14. OUR NEWS
    16/05/2024

    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.

    Read more
  15. OUR NEWS
    14/05/2024

    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!

    Read more
1 out of 0
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Learn about our latest actions and find out about our programs and how you can help sea turtles!