This is Dina, she deals with all volunteer applications.
Volunteering
Enthusiastic and committed volunteers are required for demanding sea turtle conservation projects run by ARCHELON in Greece. Zakynthos, Peloponnesus and Crete are major nesting areas for the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle in the Mediterranean and have been monitored by ARCHELON, a non-profit making organisation, for 20 years. In Athens, ARCHELON also runs the only dedicated Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Greece.
Volunteers are invited to work on the island of Zakynthos where the first National Marine Park for sea turtles in the Mediterranean was established in 1999 and assist the Management Body of the Park in its task to protect the nesting beaches. In the Peloponnesus, volunteers will protect nests from foxes and other mammals, experience the pilot project of sand dune restoration, help maintain nature trails and help in the running of the newly established Nature Information Centres. On the island of Crete, participants will work for the implementation of a Management Plan for the nesting areas. At the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist our staff in daily treatment of sea turtles that suffer from accidental and deliberate injuries.
This is Dina, she deals with all volunteer applications.
Please read carefully the details below, about the work you are invited to do.
1. SEASONAL FIELD WORK (1st May - 31st October)
Carried out during the nesting and hatching season, fieldwork routines include:
1a. NEST MANAGEMENT AND HABITAT PROTECTION
The nesting season commences at the end of May and lasts until August. The hatchlings emerge at the end of July through to the end of October. During this period, the work of ARCHELON aims at the protection of nesting females, nests and hatchlings and involves:
Morning Survey conducted daily at dawn, to assess the previous night's turtle activities. It may be long and tedious, physically demanding and extend well into the heat of the day. Nest Protection against human activities and predation, achieved wherever necessary through screening. Meanwhile nests laid in unsafe areas are relocated further up the beach or to natural beach hatcheries.
During Night Survey, performed by a select number of highly trained volunteers, information is collected on nesting females.
Excavation of a sample of nests is carried out in order to determine hatching success.
1b. PUBLIC AWARENESS
An intensive Public Awareness Programme is carried out at all nesting sites since most are under pressure from tourism. Volunteers must be prepared to interact long hours with tourists, through participation in:
Information Stations that operate at key points of the nesting sites.
Slide Shows on sea turtle biology and conservation conducted on a regular basis in hotels and other venues.
Beach Patrols, carried out during the day, and Safeguarding of the beaches at night in order to minimise the impact of tourism on the nesting activity.
1c. MAINTENANCE AND DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
These supportive activities are of great importance and play a key role in effective project operation.
Campsites, information stations and hatcheries are erected and dismantled by volunteers.
Basic maintenance of equipment is also volunteer-based and includes activities such as painting and carpentry etc. Artistic skills including drawing and photography are also utilised if possible.
Finally, each individual shares responsibilities on mutual well being related to communal life and overall proper operation of campsites.
FIELD WORK REQUIREMENTS
- Volunteers stay on designated free campsites, restricted to ARCHELON volunteers, with outdoor, very basic sanitary and cooking facilities (cold water showers, gas stoves and fridges, cooking pots and pans, cutlery, crockery). It is absolutely necessary to bring along camping gear (e.g. sleeping bag, tent), warm and comfortable clothes, waterproofs (especially for May and September/ October), plus decent clothes for working with the public.
- Volunteers must be prepared to share a communal life, living and working in both populated and secluded areas, often as members of small teams and usually under harsh conditions. Although relevant experience is not necessary, the ability to live and co-operate with people of different cultures and background is essential.
- Volunteers are trained and supervised by field leaders and experienced project members. They must be prepared to participate in every aspect of the work. Duties are allocated by the field leaders and may include working throughout the night or long hours during the day.
2. ALL YEAR ROUND SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION
Many sea turtles are annually reported stranded throughout Greece, usually caught in fishing gear or injured by speedboats and fishermen. The ones that are still alive have a good chance to survive if immediate and proper treatment is provided. As a consequence, ARCHELON established in 1994 its Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Athens with the following objectives:
- To treat and rehabilitate injured, sick or weak sea turtles.
- To raise public awareness, especially amongst schoolchildren and fishermen.
- To operate a Sea Turtle Rescue Network throughout Greece.
For these purposes, five old train wagons have been converted into facilities, which include rehabilitation, exhibition, and accommodation areas.
Interested volunteers must be prepared to do physically demanding work for long hours. Please note that basic knowledge of animal care is highly appreciated.
Duties are described briefly below:
Actions related to the Rescue Network include response to live strandings throughout Greece, collection and transport of injured turtles. (If you possess a driving license please do not forget to bring it along). Sea Turtle Rehabilitation tasks include preparation and administration of food, operation of the sea water supply systems, carrying and cleaning the animals, as well as cleaning the facilities and equipment. Public Awareness activities include the running of exhibition area and providing information to visitors. Finally other duties, that consume a large proportion of volunteers' time, include basic maintenance activities as well as cleaning of surroundings and living quarters.
Basic accommodation and cooking facilities are provided at the Centre in one of the train wagons dedicated to that purpose.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants must be over 18 years of age, able to communicate in English and hold a suitable health insurance policy. The advised participation period is 6 weeks (minimum participation 28 days). Long term participation is highly appreciated.
- Volunteers are selected on an individual basis. Groups of more than two persons are not accepted for the same project and period of time.
- Volunteers are entitled to 1 day off per ten-day working period.
PARTICIPATION COSTS
Once approved, an applicant will have to pay a non-refundable participation fee of EURO 100, £65, $100 or equivalent). The amount covers administration, annual subscription to ARCHELON and an exclusive "volunteer" T-shirt and turtle biology booklet (both received upon arrival).
Applicants arriving before 15th of May or after the 20th of September are entitled to 50% discount (valid for Field Work volunteers only).
ARCHELON is not in a position to offer financial assistance. Volunteers cover their own travel and food expenses. A minimum amount of 10 EURO per day should cover basic food needs.
HOW TO APPLY
If you have an eager desire to assist in protecting nature and are willing to experience working with many other people like you, then e-mail archelon (stps@archelon.gr)for an application form or apply on-line through the official ARCHELON web-site (www.archelon.gr) - use your browser's "back" button to return to this page.
