Part-time volunteers (local residents)

ARCHELON's projects are supported by a group of dedicated part-time volunteers who are residents of the nearby areas of each project. People from Attica, Zakynthos, Peloponnese or Crete have the opportunity to participate as part-time volunteers for a longer period of time. Their participation is organized according to the needs of each project.

An annual a participation fee (35€/year) is required for part-time volunteers, which covers administrative costs.

The Public Awareness program at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre runs every day between 13:00-15:00 and every Saturday and Sunday between 11:00-17:00. Part-time volunteers will receive training and will be responsible for guided tours of visitors during the hours that the Rescue Centre is open to the public. The minimal participation period for this program is 4 weeks with at least 2 days/week.

The local, part-time volunteers at ARCHELON's summer Field Projects are trained and help to carry out mainly the morning surveys of the reproductive activity of the sea turtles and the protection of the nests in Zakynthos, Peloponnese and Crete. Also, they contribute in raising awareness of the visitors and the residents of the areas. The asks, activities and period of participation is determined in consultation with the Project Manger after the application is sent and according to the needs of each project. Duties could include:

1. ‘Patrolling’ the beaches, during which loggerhead reproductive activity is recorded.
2. Protecting the nests in site (with ‘fencing’) from both human activity and/or predation by mammals, and relocation of nests, when necessary.
3. Constructing special ‘shading’ structures to guide hatchlings to the sea in areas where artificial light (from roads, shops, etc.) may disorient the hatchlings when they emerge from the nest.
4. Excavating nests after the hatchlings have emerged, in order to estimate the hatching success.
5. Increasing public awareness of both tourists and local residents by operating a seasonal information station in Zakynhtos, Peloponnese and Crete, information tables, and organizing presentations at tourist facilities.
6. Supporting the operation of the research stations (organized camping where volunteers stay) of ARCHELON and participation in camp shifts in the accommodation area of full-time volunteers.