Contact:
WWW Link: http://www.archelon.gr

Description:

ARCHELON, founded in 1983, is a nationwide, non-profit, non-governmental organization working for the protection of sea turtles and their habitats in Greece. The Society’s activities include monitoring of turtle populations, management of nesting beaches, lobbying, environmental education, rehabilitation of injured turtles, and raising of public awareness. Furthermore the Society provides data and scientific information to the European Union, the Council of Europe, and international organizations as well as to nationwide and local authorities.

ARCHELON has received several awards, among them the following: Academy of Athens (1984), Ford Environmental Award (1993), TUI Prize for the best environmental organization involved with tourism (1994).

ARCHELON has been systematically monitoring the main nesting areas of the loggerhead turtle in Greece (Zakynthos, Kyparissia Bay, Lakonikos Bay, Rethymno Messaras Bay and Chania Bay). The Society has established in 1993, in collaboration with the local Municipality, the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada (near Athens) which receives injured sea turtles for treatment, and at the same time it is used for environmental education. Other educational activities include live presentations at schools and creation of three traveling kits, the “Turtle Briefcase”, “Life on the Coast”, and “Fishermen and Turtles” which can be borrowed by teachers throughout the country.

ARCHELON works closely with state agencies, local authorities, institutions, other NGOs, fishermen associations and concerned citizens in order to mitigate threats and reverse population decline of sea turtles. Priority is given to the elaboration and implementation of integrated management plans at the major nesting areas of Greece.

ARCHELON relies heavily on voluntary work. Every year over 400 volunteers from all over the world participate in the work on the nesting beaches and at the Rescue Centre.

Organization Type: Non-governmental, Non-profit

Activities: Advocacy, Conservation, Education, Management, Monitoring, Outreach, Rehabilitation, Research, Stranding

Submitted: 2009-04-27 14:30:22
Last Modified: 2009-04-27 15:17:01

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