Volunteers are the motivating force of ARCHELONʼs work and achievements
Unique moments and strong images are those that accompany the life of an active volunteer, on any level and way. The purpose of each volunteer is different but the result is the same, the will to offer.
From the first day of its foundation, ARCHELON welcomes volunteers from all over the world. People of every age, with variety of interests, different nationalities and habits. The volunteers are those who compose the character, the nature of ARCHELON over thirty-four years now and they are the motivating force of its actions and its deeds. Besides, a milestone on ARCHELON’s work was the moment the “Ambassadors” program was established. Ambassadors, are the volunteers that represent the Society and share their experiences with their community. They motivate, inspire and speak about the benefits of volunteering all over the world!!
2016 was a very strong year, because the number of the volunteers that participated in ARCHELON’s programs had increased. In total, more than 824 volunteers offered more than 20.000 days of volunteering, in order to protect the sea turtles and their nests. They helped 260.000 hatchlings reach the sea with safety. From those volunteers 207 were French, 154 British, 135 Greeks, 104 Belgians, 52 Germans, 27 Irish, 21 Americans etc.
A very important increase of interns was observed during the summer of 2016 (88 students) from 38 universities of Greece and other countries also.
Like every other year, ARCHELON started accepting volunteer applications for the 2017 nesting season, since October 2016 and continues to.
Every year, volunteers support ARCHELON, so it can run the programs for the protection of the sea turtles. The field programs have already started since May 7th and they will continue until October 15th 2017. Since the beginning of the year, the process to recruit volunteers for this year’s programs is of crucial importance, because only if the necessary number of participants is achieved, the field projects will be able to run properly and therefore the effective protection of the sea turtles on the nesting beaches may be guaranteed.
We hope that his year, ARCHELON will overcome the expectations of every previous year, and the goal that has been set for this season will be achieved.
Information / Applications: Chara Papailiou, Volunteers Officer – tel.: +30 6937 352 382, email: volunteers@archelon.gr (translation: Ourania Theodorakakou)
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (April 2017)?
Dead sea turtle in Zakynthos
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!
September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea
This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire
After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund
Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS09/07/2025
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- 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.