Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
"Many decades ago, when I was a small child living in Brooklyn, New York, I saw a documentary about sea turtles," recalls Joanne, a long-time volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. "From that moment on, I never forgot that video, and I've always been fascinated by these incredible creatures."
Joanne, originally from New York, has lived in Greece for the past 40 years. She first learned about the Rescue Centre upon retiring in 2008 and began volunteering here in 2010. "I discovered ARCHELON through a newspaper article many years ago," she explains, "and I had no idea such an incredible organization existed, and so close to my home!"
When Joanne first started volunteering, ARCHELON was a smaller operation. Her duties were varied, including data entry at the Rescue Centre office, assisting with turtle feeding and cleaning, and even contributing articles to the organization's website.
"Things have certainly changed since then," Joanne notes. "ARCHELON has expanded significantly, both in terms of its scope and its facilities." Today, Joanne dedicates every Saturday to volunteering, conducting tours for visitors who come to learn about sea turtle conservation.
"Volunteering at ARCHELON has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," she shares. "Not only do I feel like I'm contributing to the protection of a protected species, but I’ve also had the privilege of meeting incredible people from all over the world, all united by a common goal: to help sea turtles thrive. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to contribute, I wholeheartedly recommend volunteering at ARCHELON. You won’t be disappointed!"
Joanne’s story is a testament to the impact that volunteers have on ARCHELON’s mission. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and the contributions of all our volunteers who make a real difference in the lives of sea turtles. Among Joanne, we have many more dedicated part-time volunteers who have helped the Rescue Centre in great deal. Joanne is one of several dedicated part-time volunteers who contribute to the operations of the Rescue Centre.
- Watch Joanne’s story!
- Watch the video of Nektarios and his story with volunteering at the Rescue Centre. Stay tuned for more stories!
Do you live in Athens and want to contribute to a vital cause? Join our team of passionate volunteers and help us raise awareness about sea turtle conservation in Athens! Find out more here
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.
- OUR NEWS20/01/2025
Thank You to our 2024 Field Leaders: The Heart of Sea Turtle Conservation
At ARCHELON, we owe much of our success to the dedication and passion of our Field Leaders. These incredible individuals guide our volunteers throughout their work in the field, ensuring that our mission to protect sea turtles is carried out with precision, care, and enthusiasm.
- OUR NEWS16/01/2025
The sweet side of healing: Why honey is a secret weapon for saving injured sea turtles.
The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of honey help fight infections in open wounds, a common problem for injured sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS18/12/2024
An injured Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre with plastics in its digestive system.
Greece has made progress in cutting down on plastic bag use, but we all need to do more. Sea pollution from plastic is still a major threat, harming both people and marine life.
- OUR NEWS06/12/2024
ARCHELON is on the Frontline of Sea Turtle Rescue in the Mediterranean.
For the first time, we have conducted CT scans for accurate diagnoses and started special blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor the health of sea turtles under our care.
- OUR NEWS03/12/2024
Summer 2025: Lead the Way in Sea Turtle Conservation and become a Field Leader with ARCHELON!
A limited number of experienced and capable volunteers are selected each year for the positions of Field Leaders on the ARCHELON projects. Applications and short CVs for 2025 are now accepted!
- OUR NEWS25/11/2024
Make this gift-giving season more magical: Adopt a Sea Turtle for your loved ones!
Whether it's for the wildlife lover in your life, or someone who cares about the planet, an adoption from ARCHELON is a present that keeps on giving.
- OUR NEWS18/11/2024
A Nest of Hope: Keanu's Journey with ARCHELON
Keanu Groeneveld, a Wildlife Management student from the Netherlands, recently completed an internship with ARCHELON at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Rethymno, Crete. His experience was more than ever expected; it was a transformative journey that ignited his passion for wildlife conservation.
- OUR NEWS12/11/2024
Turtle protection through satellite trackers: TUI Care Foundation and conservation organisation ARCHELON release sea turtle in Greece
Triton was released back into the Mediterranean Sea with a satellite transmitter after several months of rehabilitation at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. As part of the TUI Turtle Aid programme, the initiative aims to contribute valuable insights into sea turtle behaviour.
- OUR NEWS11/11/2024
A very exciting nesting record confirms the recovery of the Loggerhead population breeding in Kyparissia Bay, Greece!
This year, ARCHELON has recorded a new nesting record: 6,700 Loggerhead nests in the core nesting area of Kyparissia Bay.
- OUR NEWS28/10/2024
A wildlife symbol turned into a macabre tourist attraction
Αn embalmed Loggerhead sea turtle was found on public display in front of one of the Kastos island’s taverns.
- OUR NEWS23/10/2024
Growing Beyond Boundaries: A Volunteer's Transformation
“Through volunteering in Chania, I was able to go beyond my limits and discover a new world,” says Hyerim Ryu, explaining her motivation and sharing her experience of 5 weeks volunteering with ARCHELON.
- OUR NEWS18/10/2024
Is there any progress on establishing an all-embracing Marine Park in the Ionian Sea?
We are awaiting the results of the study with great interest, as the establishment of the new Marine Park in the Ionian Sea will be a landmark for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS16/10/2024
Greece's Marine Protected Areas remain unprotected
A new report, by nine environmental organizations, identifies serious deficiencies in the protection of the most important Greek marine habitats, stressing the urgent need for immediate action