The presence of ARCHELON in Kyparissia bay is continuous since the beginning of the 1980s, carrying out surveys and research with regard to the conservation of loggerhead sea turtles and monitoring of reproductive activity started in 1984.

This year, ARCHELON’s long standing Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle protection project in the Kyparissia Bay Natura 2000 site is among the finalists for the European Commission's prestigious NATURA 2000 Award! This pan-European Award recognizes conservation achievements, showcasing the sites of the Natura 2000 Network and increasing public awareness of Europe's valuable natural heritage.

Thousands of ARCHELON volunteers from all over the world have contributed up to now to this effort. Over 30 years, activities to protect nests, eggs and young turtles from threats have led to a significant increase in nest numbers of this globally-threatened species at the largest nesting population in the Mediterranean.

According to the Award Jury, this initiative demonstrates the benefits of careful, long-term conservation efforts to protect loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean.

ARCHELON’s project is one of only two Greek finalists in the Marine Conservation category.

Find out more about the project here:  https://ec.europa.eu/environment/natura-2000-award/current-edition/protecting-mediterranean-loggerhead-sea-turtle_en 

ARCHELON is competing for the Citizens’ Award and you can support us and vote for us until April 27^th here: https://n2000citizenaward.eu/22019