ARCHELON’s volunteering projects for 2021
Applications for participation of volunteers and field leaders for the projects in 2021 are now accepted!
Despite the adversity we are experiencing, we are determined to continue with ARCHELON’s projects in the best possible way in the New Year! We need enthusiastic volunteers to record and protect sea turtles, their nests and turtles on spawning beaches, and to continue rescuing and treating injured or sick turtles at the Rescue Center.
If you are willing to give time and energy for nature conservation and the environment, join us to spend a few weeks with people from different countries on a beach close to nature. See the volunteer projects in Zakynthos, Kyparissia, Koroni, Lakonikos, Rethymno, Chania and Messara and choose the area you are interested in. Each project has a different participation start and end dates.
"We hope to welcome many volunteers, especially as in 2020 it was not possible to accept many applications, due to the pandemic. The same goes for the students with internships whose participation was canceled", says Hara Papailiou, the Volunteer Officer. Internship agreements are available for the duties of the volunteers as well as the duties of the field leaders.
Field leaders are very important for the success of ARCHELON’s projects and usually are volunteers with relevant experience. They are selected through a different application process and are trained at the beginning of each period. The deadline for submission of applications for field leaders expires on 10/1/2021.
An exciting opportunity to monitor sea turtles in their feeding area in the Amvrakikos gulf, is also offered to a very small number of participants, but the dates are not available yet.
ARCHELON’s projects are an opportunity to show your interest in nature conservation and the environment. At the same time, you will get practical knowledge and experience in wildlife protection, biology, ecology, veterinary care but also human resource management and communication.
Before you apply, please read carefully the measures for COVID-19 taken by ARCHELON. We want to keep COVID-19 out of the projects.
Turtle Challenge 3: Create a story for us that can be scripted for video
Four ARCHELON volunteers climbed the famous volcano El Teide and raised funds for ARCHELON. How did that happen?
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!
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
Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea
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”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund
Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
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
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.