We unite our voices for the protection of the natural environment
Having entered the third decade of the 21st century, we are now facing a multifaceted environmental crisis – a biodiversity crisis and a climate crisis - in Greece and around the world.
The environmental crisis is no longer "the exaggeration of a few scientists and some nature lovers". Nor are the struggles of all those who for decades act locally but think globally treated as "quaint".
The many small victories for wildlife conservation, bringing about changes in the patterns of coexistence with the natural environment, as well as changes in consumption and production behaviors and practices, combined with scientific evidence, have paved the way for a different tomorrow with a vision for humans and nature.
Today, thirty-one (31) organizations and bodies for the protection of the natural environment in Greece unite our voice with people around the world who call for action before it is too late, and express our deep concern about what is happening in our country:
The implementation and enforcement of existing environmental legislation, national and European, and of international treaties, cannot be occasional or case-by-case.
The protection of the natural environment is not served when development activities are planned in areas of strict nature protection, sometimes even in the name of protecting the planet itself and tackling climate change.
The recovery will be neither "green" nor "innovative" if it is based on the apparent reckless use and degradation of the natural environment. It will be an outdated and failed recipe.
The world, and especially the younger generations, have realized that we need to change and take action, and they are strongly calling for it.
We call on the Government and political parties, institutions, the scientific community and civil society to take initiatives, as a matter of priority, on a truly national plan for the protection of the natural environment.
We are ready to contribute, as much as we can, with our experience and our knowledge.
See HERE an excellent collective album with environmental protection actions from all 31 co-signing organizations / bodies.
The co-signatories:
Alkyoni, ΑΝΙΜΑ, Arion, Arcturos, ARCHELON, Action for the Wildlife, ELLINIKI ETAIRIA Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, Hellenic ORNITHOLOGICAL Society Corinth and Patras Gulf Union for the Protection of the Environment “Nireus”, Society for the Protection of Prespa, Callisto, Cetacean Research Institute Pelagos Natural History Museum of Crete, Ecological Recycling Society, Ecological Movement of Drama, PANDOIKO, Magnesia Environmental Initiative, Pindos Perivallontiki, Roi - Citizens For Streams, Association for the Protection of Health & Environment of the Health Center of Chalandritsa, Friends of Nature, Greenpeace, The Green Tank, iSea, Mamagea, Med-INA, MEDASSET, MOm, WWF Greece
8th June – 16th June: from World Oceans Day to World Sea Turtle Day
Sea turtles are not pets – please do not touch or feed them
RECENT NEWS
- 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
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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
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- OUR NEWS17/05/2024
Amvrakikos Project 2024: Special Call for a Field Leader
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- OUR NEWS16/05/2024
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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.
- OUR NEWS14/05/2024
Save Turtles, See Greece on a Budget
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- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
Sea Turtle Festival for Kids 2024
Save the date! On Saturday 18 May at 11:00, the ARCHELON Rescue Centre opens its doors to welcome young and old sea turtle friends who want to celebrate, explore, learn, play and travel magically in the Mediterranean Sea. We are waiting for you to strengthen our message for a better and sustainable planet!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
A successful year for the International Sea Turtle Symposium
The International Sea Turtle Symposium concluded triumphantly this March in Pattaya, Thailand, with ARCHELON actively participating.
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.
- OUR NEWS12/04/2024
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2024
"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.
- OUR NEWS04/04/2024
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece
- OUR NEWS03/04/2024
Citizens inform us of sea turtle strandings
ARCHELON started the effort to record the incidents of dead turtles washing up on the Greek shores in 1992. In recent years there has been an increase in these records which may be due to more of our fellow citizens reporting such incidents. Learn more…