Greece Turtle Conservation Internship (short-term)

Volunteer in Greece with GVI and prepare yourself for an experience you’ll never forget! No other place in the world has such a diversity of landscapes in such a small area. From exotic islands and white beaches to snow-capped mountains, Greece has it all.
 
Whether you are in Europe on a gap year, a career break, or under 18 and looking to make a difference, volunteer in Greece and help contribute to the conservation of the endangered loggerhead turtles at one of the most important nesting areas in the region.
 
PROGRAM FOCUS
 
Travel to the beautiful Kyparissia Bay in the southern Peloponnese of Greece and discover the local area whilst you learn more about the critical conservation efforts of these turtles. Our interns are based in Giannitsochori, renowned one of the most important Loggerhead sea turtle nesting areas in the whole of Greece. Here they will have a unique opportunity to truly immerse themselves in protecting the environment and developing their own skills. The project is geared at providing long term benefits to the local environment and community.

Interns will engage in daily morning surveys to record nesting activity and protect turtle nests against predation by mammals and inundation by sea water. Furthermore, interns will inform overseas visitors and the local community about the conservation of these turtles. All our internships are geared at developing your leadership skills, allowing you to develop a variety of soft and hard skills that will boost your marine conservation experience.
 
In Giannitsochori we work to educate the local community and visitors as to conservation efforts being conducted around the turtle breeding. We have a group of highly experienced field staff who will work with you to develop and improve your skill and in so doing giving you a fantastic starting point for developing your conservation career. GVI aslo offers the opportunity for you to gain additional leadership qualifications and experience in a conservation environment.
 

LOCATION
 
Travel to the Mediterranean and volunteer with turtles in Greece. Our project site is a 10 minute walk from the village of Giannitsochori, a small and traditional village and a known beach resort with amazing Greek historical ruins close by.
 
Participants make a difference by conserving endangered loggerhead turtles which nest on the white sand beaches of Giannitsochori. Come help us record nesting activity and protect hatchlings from predators as they make their first journey to the ocean, making a real difference to the conservation of the population.
 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
 

• Working with one of the most endangered species in the Mediterranean and discovering the beauty of Greece’s Mediterranean coast.
• Seeing turtles lay their eggs and watching the hatchlings head for the sea.
• Earn your GVI ILM Leadership Development certificate, a qualification recognised by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM)
• Experiencing the Greek culture first hand in a beautiful area which you can explore in your free time
• Take a great first step towards your career in practical conservation and making a lasting one-off contribution to the preservation of endangered turtles.
• If staying 8 weeks or longer you will complete your Biological Survey Techniques training and qualification

 
If applying for this program to obtain credit from an institution, GVI can supply learning outcomes and support in the application.
 
For more information, check out our testimonial video https://youtu.be/cDwMQiTVO4s