European Voluntary Service in ARCHELON
ARCHELON hosts around 500 volunteers from all over the world each year. Last year, we had a great increase of volunteers of around 25%. The volunteers come from a variety of countries like Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil etc. (please see the map). It is great opportunity for all of the people who work in a multiethnic environment to cooperate and interact with different people with different cultures and languages. It is amazing how they live and work together and they become one team with one target and same goals. A lot of lifelong friendships or even relationships have occurred during those years. The volunteers get an experience of a life time.
ARCHELON also hosts EVS volunteers who are the ones who stay longer and put much of their energy to each project, get involved physically and mentally into the particular projects since they stay the longest period. Most of them they get in touch so much with the project and the people they cooperate with, that it is not normal for them to go back to their home towns. The majority of the feedbacks we get refer that they will continue doing work for the nature or even the sea turtles wherever they are in the world.
At the moment we host 4 volunteers at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center and below you can find some of their thoughts.
About Sanne Bergman
Sanne Bergman-Swedish 20 years old “From the -30 Celsius in Sweden to the Greek sun. I will be working in ARCHELON Rescue Center for 6 months. Greece has everything that is close to me; ocean, sun, culture and adventure. And through ARCHELON I will get to do what I want to do in my life: Fight for animal rights.”
About Tuukka Peltonen
Tuukka Peltonen-Finnish 21 years old “I am from Finland, town called Kuopio. I chose Greece because I know much about Greek history, but not much of present days. So I wanted to know how the local people live and know the culture bette r, that is why I chose this project. The project lasts 6 months and ends in July. When I was choosing a project that I would want to participate, I wanted to do something that I couldnʼt be able to do back in Finland. I chose ARCHELON because it seemed to be a practical job. Work with the turtles and be close to them.”
About Katharina Salzl
Katharina Salzl-Austrian 20 years old “My home country is Austria and I decided to come to Greece because I had never been there and I would like to get inside the Greek culture and mentality. I will stay in Athens for 6 months and afterwards I want to go to a nesting project. Before I come to Greece I finished school focusing on social care management and I liked it, but I also wanted to see how the work with animals is. The description of ARCHELON on the youth in action home page was very interesting, so I sent my application to them and they accepted me. I really enjoy working and staying here in Greece so far.”
About Bauke Kwast
Bauke Kwast Netherlands 18 years old “I arrived in Greece during the winter, through EVS project. I am 18 years old, dutch and half denish. Here, in ARCHELON, I work with sea turtles with 3 other volunteers. They came all with EVS. The best thing here is, that you get contact with people from all over Europe. I noticed I lost some ideas about different countries, and also gained some. For the next 4,5 month I will be here in Glyfada at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, and I am sure I am going to miss it.”
Omiros... “Odyssey”
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos: New President – New Start
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS24/04/2025
Are You Over 50? The Sea Turtles Need You!
If you’re 50 or older and ready to dive into a unique conservation experience, we warmly invite you to join us. Help protect sea turtles, meet like-minded people, and discover the natural beauty of Greece with ARCHELON by your side.
- OUR NEWS22/04/2025
Turning the Tide: Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery Worldwide
The first, after a decade, global study brings encouraging news for sea turtle conservation: more than half of their populations across the globe show signs of recovery. Listed among the authors is the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON, Aliki Panagopoulou PhD, who is mobilizing the long term field work of our Society on the nesting beaches of Greece.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.