Why are ARCHELON’s projects international?
For 40 years now ARCHELON has been protecting and monitoring the reproduction and feeding grounds of sea turtles in Greece. This could not have been achieved without the irreplaceable contribution of the 500 volunteers who come from all over the world and take part in the 8 sea turtle conservation protection projects at the nesting beaches.
Below is a chart that shows the different nationalities of the volunteers who took part in ARCHELON’s projects during the years 2020 to 2023. The largest percentage of volunteers were from France (35.9%), United Kingdom (20.9%), Germany (11.5%) and Greece (10.7%). But it is not just the nationalities with the most participation numbers that matter. Our joy is even greater when we welcome volunteers from other destinations, often far away. "Other" nationalities in the chart include the countries of Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Netherlands, Finland, Ireland, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal.
But why are the projects of ARCHELON International? The answer to that is simple: marine turtles are species that migrate to their wintering, feeding, and nesting habitats across national jurisdictions and international waters. The threats they face include overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, and loss of nesting habitat to coastal tourism development, which are all related to pressures mostly beyond national borders.
Inviting people from all over the world to join the projects helps demonstrate that the turtles nesting in Greece are a part of the global and Mediterranean natural heritage. “As the sea turtle nesting beaches are under pressure from tourism development, it is important to influence hotel owners and local communities in favor of the turtles. Volunteers not only record and protect the nests, but they also help inform and engage tourists, who influence the local economies.”, says Aliki Panagopoulou, the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON.
A simple, but necessary, rule for all the ARCHELON's Field Stations is that everyone must communicate in English. “The most important requirement for volunteers who would like to join the ARCHELON projects is to know and speak English at all times. By doing this, everyone can work together on the project, talk to tourists in the kiosks, make presentations in hotels, and, most importantly, no one feels left out” says the Volunteers officer, Fryni Papanikolaou.
Speaking in a different language than your native, even with people from your own country, helps you to get out of your comfort zone and think things from a different perspective. “It's common for volunteers to be shy and hesitant to speak English in the beginning. But already within a couple of days, volunteers see a huge improvement in their ability to speak English and a boost in their confidence”, adds Fryni. Needless to say, native English speakers usually help to bring together the whole team of a project.
Speaking English while carrying out fieldwork or public awareness activities and interacting with each other in the campsites is essential to the projects. So, if you plan to come to the sea turtle conservation projects for the nesting season of 2024, brush off your English- if you’re not a native speaker- and make sure you are ready to be part of an international ARCHELON team!
Check our volunteering projects here Have you ever wondered what is happening in one of ARCHELON’s sea turtle protection projects? Get a taste by watching our short film
Sea turtles in the Greek wetlands of international importance
ARCHELON has been running a special hospital for sea turtles with tanks and impressive old train wagons for 30 years in Glyfada
RECENT NEWS
- 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
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.
- OUR NEWS20/01/2025
Thank You to our 2024 Field Leaders: The Heart of Sea Turtle Conservation
At ARCHELON, we owe much of our success to the dedication and passion of our Field Leaders. These incredible individuals guide our volunteers throughout their work in the field, ensuring that our mission to protect sea turtles is carried out with precision, care, and enthusiasm.