Protect and conserve an important loggerhead turtle nesting area in the Mediterranean.
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On this project you can assist in protecting and conserving an important loggerhead turtle nesting area in the Mediterranean. You will be based in the beautiful Bay of Kyparissia in the western Peloponnese, you will be involved with conserving and protecting one of the most important loggerhead turtle nesting areas in Greece.
Volunteer work is 5 – 6 days a week
May – September each year, seasonal
You will be involved in surveying the nesting activity of female turtles, this will happen daily, as the turtles come out to nest during the night. Once a nest has been located you will have the task of protecting it from predation and flooding by the rising ocean tides. Moreover, you will be involved in providing vital conservation information workshops to international visitors as well as local community members!
The team will engage in daily morning surveys to record nesting activity and protect turtle nests against predation by mammals and inundation by sea water. Volunteers will also provide important conservation information to overseas visitors and the local community.
The work is varied, with all volunteers rotating around the different roles: turtle patrol, camp duty, bamboo harvesting (used to protect the nests) and an environmental education program for the locals and tourists. The days are long, it is hot and you will have to walk long distances (at least 5km) during surveys.
Key volunteer tasks may include:
In between your shifts, you will have plenty of time to soak up the sun on the sandy white beaches or relax with your fellow volunteers back at the campsite. Although the climate will be hot and can get very humid, by living so close to the beach you will be able to cool down with a quick dip in the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Depending on how shifts you are structured, you will also have one day off a week, giving you time to explore the local area and immerse yourself even more into the breathtaking natural beauty, culture and history that Greece has to offer!
Tents
Your accommodation will be in tents right next to the beach, providing you with a breathtaking scenic view to wake up to each morning. Accommodation is in shared tents, same sex, with shared (single sex) bathroom facilities within the camp site. There is running cold and hot water available for cooking and cool water taps for drinking only. Flush toilet facilities (shared, single sex) are available at the campsite, and participants share camp duties, including cleaning, cooking and other chores.
Food will be cooked as a shared chore by all the participants in the camp site and it is a combination of healthy and varied Mediterranean local products.
You will have limited access to long-distance communications whilst on the programme, so make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you. Participants typically use internet in the camp, to keep in touch, however, be aware that the internet at the campsite is very slow as it is shared between everybody.
Mobile/cell phone reception is fairly good so you may want to buy a Greek SIM card in Athens if you arrive early and want to stay in touch with people back home regularly. Alternatively, the staff team can assist you with getting a phone SIM card whilst on project. SIM cards in Greece are 10Euros and for 12Euros you can make European calls.
Provided, more details to be provided upon confirmation
English
Passport, Criminal Background check, Medical form
Doctors note must be signed if you have any illnesses to declare
Kit list will be sent across at time of confirmation
Once you have confirmed your spot on this program, you will be allocated to a dedicated program expert who will assist you as you prepare for your program.
Project staff on base who facilitate the project, run training’s & assist with any additional health & safety needs if required. 24 Hour emergency phone. Please ask your program expert for more information.
You will be given the option to pay in instalments for an Instalment Fee of £125 per booking. If you select this Instalment Fee option, a non-refundable deposit payment of £350 is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program, 50% of the balance will fall due 16 weeks before departure and the remaining 50% of the balance will fall due 12 weeks before departure. If you the Participant cancel this agreement, the Participant shall not be entitled to a refund of any monies paid.
If you do not select the Instalment Fee option, the full cost of your booking is due within 48 hours of notice of acceptance onto the program. If you the Participant cancel this agreement more than 16 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of the full amount paid minus £350.
If you the Participant cancel this agreement between 16 and 12 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of 60% of the full amount paid. If you the Participant cancel this agreement less than 12 weeks prior to departure, the Participant shall be entitled to a refund of £100.
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