Help Turtles

Placement number: 0188
Location:    Greece
Preferred Languages: Greek or English
Date: All Year but turtles lay from May to Oct
Minimum Period : 6 weeks

Since 1983 our primary objective has been to protect the sea turtles in Greece through monitoring and research, developing and implementing management plans, raising public awareness and rehabilitating sick and injured turtles.   We are a member of the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and a partner to UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan.  Also our members can participate in the IUCN/Marine Turtle Specialist Group and contribute to the formulation of the international strategy for the conservation of sea turtles. We work closely with state agencies, the local authorities, institutions, other NGOs and local inhabitants in order to mitigate and reverse population reduction of sea turtles.  Priority is given to the elaboration and implementation of integrated management plans in the major loggerhead nesting areas in Greece (Bays of Kyparissia, Lakonikos and Crete).  We were instrumental in the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.

Please read carefully the details below, about the work you are invited to do.

1. SEASONAL FIELD WORK (Early May - Late 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 is  aimed 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 to safer areas.
During Night Survey, performed by a select number of highly trained volunteers, data 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 facilities.
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 and inform beach users.

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, 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, torch, alarm clock), 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

Please note that there is a greater need for volunteers during the beginning (early May to June) and the end (September to late October) of the projects.

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,  this organisation 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 neglect 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 large
proportion of voluntary 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 that serves exclusively these purposes.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• applicants must be over 18 years of age, able to communicate in English and carry a health insurance policy. Applicants with driving license would be preferred. 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 3 days off during a 28 day period

Role of Volunteer

We rely heavily on voluntary work. 

Volunteers help every year in protecting the nesting beaches and treating injured
turtles. During the nesting and hatching season, fieldwork includes nest and turtle
protection, public awareness, maintenance and day-to-day duties. Difficult hard work on
beaches and usually under harsh conditions.

Please Note:

Research projects at this project can only be conducted by past volunteers. 

Cost

Volunteers are given free accommodation but food is the responsibility of the volunteer.

Once approved, an applicant will have to pay a non-refundable participation fee of €250. The amount includes administration costs as well as the cost of the annual subscription, an exclusive "volunteer" T-shirt and a turtle biology booklet (both received upon arrival).

However there are periods with diminished volunteer's fee, you might need to look:

15 May to 15 June €150,    16 June to 25 July  €230,   21 August to end of project  €150.  

PLEASE NOTE: - Volunteers must bring their own tents to stay on designated free campsites, restricted to our volunteers. Camping gear (sleeping bag and tent), warm and comfortable clothes, waterproofs plus decent clothes for working with the public.

Travel

Volunteers must travel to their designated site independently.