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 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!
- 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.