Turtle-challenge 4: «Hatchlings in danger» – Send us a story about the protection of sea turtles on the beach where they are born
Loggerhead sea turtles migrate long distances in the Mediterranean and scientific research has shown that, as soon as they reach adulthood, at the age of about 15-20, they return to the same beaches from where they began their life journey, to lay their eggs. Sadly, nowadays there are several factors that make it difficult for turtles to lay their eggs: mainly rubbish, artificial lights, umbrellas and sunbeds, night parties and even walls, bulldozers, cars, motorcycles, speedboats.
How can one help the turtles on the beaches? We asked Chara Papailiou, the Volunteer Officer and she told us that the ARCHELON volunteers clean the beaches from garbage washed out by the sea, they record and protect the nests. However, many of the people who live or vacation there do not know what to do so as not to disturb the turtles. "We need help to show them what can go wrong with the turtles on the nesting beaches and how the situation can be improved."
So here is the #turtle-challenge 4. "Hatchlings in danger" - Make a story about the protection of sea turtles on the beach where they are born.
Find out what bothers the turtles and endangers their nests on the nesting beach. Imagine one or two heroes, who for some reason will be on a beach. What could be the reason they are there? Will they encounter traces of a turtle, a protected nest, or hatchlings? What other people might they meet? Put an obstacle, a scandal, a reversal and its evolution. Specify the time, place and who sees the events in the story. We want your story to have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Work with your parents, siblings, group or a group at your school, if you like. Capture your story in a text of up to 1000 words, in English, in an electronic file or in manuscripts or drawings that you will scan or narrate it in a video that you will film with a mobile phone at home. Write a few words about you, name, age, where you live, etc.
Email your story to ARCHELON until February 14, 2022 (midnight) to education@archelon.gr with the indication #turtle-challenge4.
What will happen next: "We will read them carefully and evaluate them primarily on the basis of their originality, the action and the values they bring forward and secondarily on the expression and narration that has been used," explains Anastasia Samartzi, the Education Officer.
The stories that will be distinguished will be published in the electronic media of ARCHELON and may be used in videos, movies or podcasts. If there is a possibility, we will invite the authors to an online or live tour by the volunteers on the beach and the Environmental Station Agiannakis of Messinia, around the end of May 2022!!
All participants will receive a surprise present from ARCHELON!
If you know nothing about sea turtles and the beaches that they lay their eggs, check out the links below. We will help you by posting announcements and short videos with the indication #turtle-challenge4 on our facebook and instagram pages.
Video- Kyparissiakos bay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9dDKBcsOWs&t=153s
Video -Zakynthos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yBT9aC_5ho
Read- Which is the way to the sea? https://www.archelon.gr/eng/ournews.php?mid=6&nid=1159
Info graphic - The 7 species of sea turtles and their threats https://www.archelon.gr/eng/ournews.php?mid=6&screen=1&nid=1148
Read –How to help https://www.archelon.gr/eng/help1.php?mid=1
Read – Sea turtle biology https://www.archelon.gr/eng/biology.php?mid=71&mid2=72
Find out about the ARCHELON project areas https://www.archelon.gr/eng/projects.php?mid=3
Contact: Anastasia Samartzi, Education Officer, email: education@archelon.gr, tel. +30 210 8982 600, daily 10.00-17.00
«Make-A-Wish» of Greece – Nikolas participates in the release of two sea turtles from the Rescue Centre
At the HELECOS 10 Conference: ARCHELON presented the trends in numbers of loggerhead nests in the wider Romanos area of Messinia
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS30/09/2024
Reunite with Your Passion: Become an ARCHELON Ambassador!
Are you passionate about sea turtle conservation and want to make a positive impact on their survival? Becoming an ARCHELON ambassador is a fantastic way to contribute to this important cause.
- OUR NEWS27/09/2024
Transforming Rethymno: Sustainable tourism opportunities with the sea turtle as ambassador
With sea turtles as its ambassadors, Rethymno has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable tourism. By offering responsible ecotourism experiences, the tourism industry can create a legion of passionate advocates for ocean conservation.
- OUR NEWS18/09/2024
Counting the Loggerhead nests in Zakynthos - the work of an army of ants
For the past 41+ years, ARCHELON has been counting annually nests laid by loggerhead turtles on the island of Zakynthos, one of most important nesting areas in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS17/09/2024
Successful wrap up of Amvrakikos project for 2024 marking two decades of dedicated work
ARCHELON is a beacon of hope for sea turtles in Greece's Amvrakikos Gulf. From rescuing injured turtles to monitoring their population characteristics and their migration patterns, ARCHELON's work has been contributing to the survival of these protected animals for the last 20 years.
- OUR NEWS09/09/2024
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.
- OUR NEWS02/09/2024
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.
- OUR NEWS30/08/2024
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!
- OUR NEWS27/08/2024
ARCHELON Launches Comprehensive Study to Protect Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
- OUR NEWS05/08/2024
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.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2024
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.
- OUR NEWS29/07/2024
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!
- OUR NEWS15/07/2024
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.
- OUR NEWS26/06/2024
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".
- OUR NEWS17/06/2024
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.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2024
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.