The Over & Above Awards for 2023
On February 15 and March 5, the live and online Presentation of the ARCHELON 2023 Results were organized respectively. At the end of both events, the names of the people who surpassed themselves and gave significant help to the Association were announced. These are the ARCHELON Over & Above Awards for 2023.
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada welcomes cases of injured or sick turtles from all over the country. Panos Diamantis and Isabelle Marguerite were the "drivers" of the Rescue Network during 2023 helping significantly in transporting injured animals from the airport, port or bus stations to the Rescue Centre, even during midnight emergencies!
When the turtles arrive at the Rescue Centre the race to save them begins. At the same time, however, the Rescue Centre also functions as an information hub for visitors with the aim of raising public awareness. Nektarios Kosteletos, Fanis Michalakis, Vassilis Xenikakis, Mara Loizou and Emilia Diamantaki were the people who particularly supported the public awareness program at the Rescue Centre, touring visitors from all over the world. Furthermore, Xenia Balta significantly supported both rehabilitation and public awareness actions. Every day the Rescue Centre welcomes school students as well, in order to spread the message of wildlife protection to the new generation. Elizabeth Machaira was trained and hepled run the Environmental Education program at the Rescue Centre.
During the summer months, ARCHELON is present at the most important nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle in Greece. Volunteers from all over the world camp at the ARCHELON Research Stations in Zakynthos, Peloponnese and Crete and are trained in recording and protecting the nests. In the summer of 2023, the work on the beaches was especially intensive since a nesting record was set with a total of approximately 10,500 nests recorded throughout Greece!
In the monitoring project for the reproduction of sea turtles in Zakynthos, the Field Leaders who undertook the organization and training of the other volunteers during this demanding year stood out. They were Vincent Tarrit, Tanya Narshi, Sarah Bala, Sarah Crosse, Tobias Juul Jakobsen, Anita Szymanska, Lucie Fauchard, Marcia Abreu and Zuzanna Gewont. Konstantinos Vythoulkas, responsible for the space that hosts the volunteers on the island, also made important contributions to the Zakynthos project, always willing to help with everyday needs.
Accordingly, the Field Leaders of the ARCHELON projects in Crete, Sam Finlayson, Audrey Busa, David de Haan, Mathew Leveridge, Lizzie Borows-West, Melina Milidaki, Vasilina Vradeli, Lucy Grosjean, Gracie Rowe, Thomas Chazalnoel, Irene Pulido and Amelie Weiler, were also awarded. A special mention also goes to Vangelis Archontakis from the Tourism Department of the Municipality of Rethymno who helped to promote the informative ARCHELON Sea Turtle Beach Walk program on the beach of Rethymno. Some permanent residents of Crete actively participate in the conservation projects as well. Sean and Helen Johnstone assisted for another year at the start and completion of the Chania project, while Ciara O'Sullivan and Simon Wakefield helped significantly with the Messara Bay project as local volunteers.
In the Peloponnese Projects, Field Leaders Sarah Kelliher, Leonie Marzecki, Judith Hoste, Rachel Forster, Sam Brown, Judith Glaser, Laura Suppan, Noha Ratouit, Aris Tsiroglou, Daphne Nikisanli were awarded. In 2023, over 7,000 nests were recorded in the Peloponnese projects with their help! This intense nest numbers is why the volunteers Matheo Merle, Enora Bourgeois, Aurelie Chaput, Elisa d'Allibert, Lucan Naudin, Elain Friob, Antonin Gillot, Sophie Laderriere, Antony Couffrant, Martin Vanham and Justine Masselot rolled up their sleeves and took on more responsibilities than their duties. We thank them very much!
Richard Child, Mathilde Jahan and Michael Kroneder were distinguished for their contribution to the Lakonikos project, as well as Mark Boyd for the Koroni project. Finally, our long-term volunteer Merlin Potter-Adams also stood out for his help, both in the morning and night shifts, as well as in the training of volunteers and staff in the Kyparissia project.
"These awards are a nominal thank you for those who went the extra mile", said Thomas Arapis, President of ARCHELON during the ceremony. "However, we are grateful to all the volunteers, friends and members who helped in all the projects and actions of ARCHELON for the protection of nature and the environment." The main slogan of ARCHELON is "We can live together". For all those who love life in nature and share our vision for a harmonious coexistence between man and wildlife, there are the conservation projects of 2024. Volunteer applications are open. See more and apply here!
Contributing to international developments on sea turtle research and conservation
The moving experience of Frederique at the Rescue Centre
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
Amvrakikos Project 2025: 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 NEWS22/05/2025
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay in Crete!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
Discover the secret nature of Crete: Sea Turtle Beach Walk with ARCHELON
Live a unique ecotourism experience in Crete by participating in ARCHELON Sea Turtle Beach Walks on the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead, starting on May 15th in Chania and Rethymno. Now open for reservations on our website!
- 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!