GVI Greece Monthly Achievement Report

August 2017
Wrapping up our Under 18s programme
Objective
One of GVIs objectives is to make positive impacts towards environmental sustainability
by increased habitat and species protection, as well as raising awareness on key
environmental issues. GVI aims to support local and grassroot NGOs, such as our
partner Archelon: The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. We assist Archelon by
ensuring the preservation of important nesting sites of the Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta)
sea turtle.
Summary
GVI Greece is giving the opportunity to volunteers and/or students under the age of 18
to become involved in essential conservation work; collecting data and protecting
Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) sea turtle nests. Volunteers are also given educational
presentations about the detrimental factors loggerhead sea turtles face and how they
can alleviate the species future. Along with weekend excursions around the beautiful
island of the Peloponnese, specifically destinations with historic value and culture.
Report:
Global Vision International allows volunteers from all
ages now to participate in community and
conservations projects across the globe. GVI Greece
gives volunteers between the ages of 14-17 to live in
a communal space with other international volunteers
and assist in the conservation for Loggerhead sea
turtles. For the summer season of 2017, GVI Greece
was lucky enough to have three passionate groups of
Under 18s.
The week days within in the projects revolve strictly
around monitoring the beach morning and night.
Volunteers are giving introduction presentations
including a brief history of our local partners
Archelon, and a turtle biology presentation. After
receiving these presentations they are ready to participate in either morning or night
survey depending on the season: nesting season is active along the months of
June-July, and hatchling season between August-September. Under 18s are taught a
number of skills on survey including locating and protecting sea turtle nests from
mammal predations using bamboo and grids. Night surveys allow volunteers to check
the overall health and carapace measurements of the nesting turtle. Another skill
acquired includes the relocation of nests that are laid to close to the sea or with a high
possibility of becoming inundated. As hatchling season approaches we create shades
and boxing boxes to help protect the hatchings from light pollution as well as guide the
hatchlings safely to sea. A lot of their experiences are hands on, which is an exciting
method of learning.

During their two week stay with GVI Greece they are given a number of presentations
on the challenges sea turtles face including: plastic pollution, fisheries bycatch, and
climate change. Along with the challenges, they are given presentations on how they
can create a brighter future for the species. Talks include the importance of
conservation in general, sustainability, and how they can become everyday heroes.
These talks are given to to educate and inspire young learners with new tools and ideas
that they can use as they develop in the future.
After a week of monitoring, their weekend away is full of opportunity to travel throughout
the Peloponnese. Under 18s view incredible archeological sights such as Methoni
Castle, Nafplio, Mystras, Sparta (Sparti), and Olympia the home of the first olympics.
During these trips volunteers are open to interact with locals and try local cuisine. Many
of the volunteers get a taste for Greek history after witnessing structures still standing
that date back to 684 BC.
So with as much fun, learning, gyros and turtles we can pack into six weeks, the
volunteers end up leaving with lifelong friends, new sets of skills (including cooking,) a
love for sea turtles, and a passion for conservation. In total for our Under 18s season
our volunteers protected 80 nests (approx 8,000 sea turtle eggs,) relocated 22 nest,
found and recorded 215 turtle tracks, hammered 960 pieces of bamboo, tagged and
measured 14 adult turtles.

So with those numbers and smiles, I believe we can say this Under 18s season was a
success!

Field Staff
Alyssa Kirkham