VOLUNTEER FOR THE SEA TURTLE PROJECTS IN 2022
You may have heard of endangered sea turtles in the Mediterranean, where 2 different species of sea turtle breed: the loggerheads and the green turtles. Unfortunately, in recent years, people have made their survival difficult. Sea turtles are often accidentally caught and killed in fishing gear. Plastic marine litter affects their health and tourism occupies their nesting beaches. Climate change means more troubles for the sea turtles. Global sea levels are expected to rise and narrow nesting beaches may be lost underwater. Their populations will be decreased due to the rise of the temperature of the sand, which affects hatching as well as the sex ratio of hatchlings.
Greece hosts almost half of the loggerhead nests laid in the Mediterranean every year. The protection of nesting beaches contributes greatly to the conservation of sea turtle populations. Through the projects of ARCHELON, approximately 75 kilometers of coast are supervised every summer in Zakynthos, Crete (Rethymno, Chania, Messara) and the Peloponnese (Kyparissia, Koroni, Lakonikos), where we make sure that:
Reproduction success each year is affected by extreme weather events, severe soil erosion and predation by wildlife but also by human activities on nesting beaches. With your help, we record and protect sea turtles, their nests and turtles on nesting beaches, as well as treat injured or sick turtles at the Rescue Center.
We invite enthusiastic and dedicated people to participate as volunteers in the projects of 2022. "This is a great 6-month effort made by ARCHELON every year, since 1984, to record and protect the nesting of sea turtles in the most important habitats of Greece. Many of us are involved all year round in the organization, execution and evaluation of field projects" says the Director of ARCHELON, Dafni Mavrogiorgos.
More than 500 volunteers from all over the world participate every year in the field projects of ARCHELON. Not only do they protect the nests but they also provide information and information material to visitors from the ARCHELON information stations. They also carry out systematically presentations in hotels in order to raise the awareness of the visitors.
See the requirements and download the project brochure here (in English)
If you are interested in an internship, please consult the Internships page as well.
If you already have experience participating in a sea turtle conservation project, there is an opportunity to participate as a Field Leader. See what is the role of Field Leaders and apply until January 10th.
NEW DEADLINE for Field Leader Applications: 07/02/2022
«Make-A-Wish» of Greece – Nikolas participates in the release of two sea turtles from the Rescue Centre
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS13/06/2024
Poster contest for children and young adults: Welcome the 2024 turtle hatchlings on the beaches!
Watercolors, markers, collage, computer, phone? Everything is useful. Use your creativity and imagination to make an A3 or A4 size poster announcing that the 2024 sea turtle eggs are about to hatch.
- OUR NEWS17/05/2024
Amvrakikos Project 2024: 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 NEWS16/05/2024
Τhe nesting of loggerhead sea turtles started earlier this year and the effects of the climate crisis on the oceans are worrying
For the first time, in the 40 years of ARCHELON records, the first sea turtle nest was found in Laganas Gulf, Zakythos on May 10th. Scientific predictions of the nesting season moving earlier in the spring due to climate change are being confirmed.