Volunteering with ARCHELON
As far as I saw, for the most part, people who came to an ARCHELON summer field project stayed for a month or two. In my experience, the time spent in isolation from the outside world and surrounded by a close group of like-minded people had a great influence over my mindset about many different things. For me, things such as personal growth or gaining patience and understanding for others came hand-in-hand with a “basecamp” lifestyle. This kind of experience is invaluable in all walks of life.
During different times of the season, the monitoring of the nesting beaches involved different activities. Much of the monitoring workload consists of tagging turtles and finding nests (beginning to the middle of the season) or protecting nests/hatchlings and performing excavations (middle to end of season). Needless to say there was always a lot to do and the work was always interesting. As well as monitoring, it’s of equal importance to raise public awareness about the conservation efforts that are ongoing on the nesting beaches. And last but not least it’s very important to attempt to raise funds for the project to continue to run in the future.
ARCHELON summer projects are not just a financial investment in a charity that lies close to the hearts of the volunteers. Nor are they merely an investment of time in order to keep projects running efficiently. What makes people want to return year after year is the emotional investment made by each individual. Protecting wildlife and local ecosystems from anthropogenic threats alongside a team of dedicated volunteers, as well as wardens of National Parks (such as the wardens for the National Marine Park of Zakynthos) can invoke a strong emotional response. There were aspects of conservation that I witnessed during my time in Zakynthos that clearly took people by surprise. Seeing, first-hand, the vastness of the ecological and sometimes even political issues that affect our local and global ecosystems no doubt would take its toll over time. But no matter what, the resilience of the team of volunteers and Park
Wardens was always apparent. Volunteers who allowed themselves to really become involved felt great pride in each little win and, unfortunately, carried the losses equally deeply.
Once the end of the project was near, I realized that I was by no means ready to leave this line of work behind me quite yet. The remedy for my situation was simple. I began to volunteer in ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Center for the next month. It turned out to be another way to get even more deeply involved in the organization and gain an understanding of the real need for constant fundraising and increased public awareness. The Rescue Center, located in Athens, provided me with great motivation to keep doing as much as possible for the organization. It’s nothing short of amazing to work up close and personal with the beautiful Caretta caretta.
During my time in Zakynthos there were a number of stranded turtles (injured or deceased sea turtles that wash up on beaches). ARCHELON is responsible for collecting any turtles on the beaches of Zakynthos during the time of the field projects. The Rescue Center is then responsible for treating and rehabilitating any injured turtles found on whole coast of Greece. During my time in Zakynthos, I was helping out on a stranding call for a live injured turtle. Once we brought the turtle safely back to basecamp, we eagerly awaited its transport to the Rescue Center that evening. This turtle ended up becoming very special to me personally. To respond to a rescue call and only a few weeks later be responsible for treatment, cleaning and feeding of this wild injured animal was one of the most moving and fulfilling parts of my time with ARCHELON. I would highly recommend to all people with a love for animals and nature to consider volunteering their time with ARCHELON, both in the Field Projects and especially in the Rescue Center.
I would like to sincerely thank all of my fellow volunteers during my time in Zakynthos for welcoming me, teaching me so much and for life-long memories. Thank you to the wonderful leading team of 2017 for the amazing work they put in. And finally, thank you to ARCHELON as an organization for making all of this rewarding work a possibility.
Aaron McCormick ARCHELON Volunteer
One year LIFE EUROTURTLES
Increased protection of marine turtles on land and at sea with new Natura 2000 sites
RECENT NEWS
- 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
- OUR NEWS14/10/2024
2025 Projects: Is it your turn to save the sea turtles?
ARCHELON is thrilled to announce the volunteering projects for 2025. If you're passionate about nature conservation and eager to make a positive impact, we invite you to join our dedicated team of volunteers.
- 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.