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 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.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland