PARTICIPATION GUIDE FOR CRETE- RETHYMNO

Transcription

1 PARTICIPATION GUIDE FOR CRETE- RETHYMNO

2 General Information Crete is one of the most important nesting areas for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean, with an average of 300 nests laid annually on a total of 34km of beaches. Even though the nesting areas of Crete are now being included in the NATURA 2000 network of protected areas, uncontrolled coastal development and human interference are exerting intense pressure on the nesting beaches of the island. The ARCHELON Project of Crete aims at protecting and monitoring turtles and nests, informing visitors and promoting the co-operation with local communities and authorities as well as the tourist industry in order to achieve long term conservation. Every year ARCHELON informs some 150,000 people about the threats sea turtles face on the island.

3 WHAT TO EXPECT: Volunteers who arrive at the beginning of the project are helping to build up the campsite, turning a field into a home for the volunteers who will join the project throughout the summer. During the first two weeks we prepare for the oncoming nesting season and carry out equipment maintenance. An important part of the work you will do as a volunteer is helping gather scientific datathrough monitoring all turtle activities. Nesting season normally starts mid May and lasts till about mid August. The monitoring work we do during nesting season includes: Morning surveys to look for adult turtle tracks and locate nests, 'caging' or relocating threatened nests Night surveys to observe and tag nesting females Dealing with injured or dead turtles Hatching season starts about mid July and lasts till the end of October. The monitoring work we do during hatching season includes: Morning surveys to look for baby turtle tracks and locate nests, marking of hatching nests, dealing with any hatchlings that are still on the beach Night surveys to tag adult female turtles during nesting. Excavations of hatched nests to determine the hatching success Dealing with injured or dead turtles Night surveys are conducted when deemed logistically feasible by the Scientific Committee and are not always guaranteed to occur

4 The main threat onshore and inwater to sea turtles nowadays is the rapid mass tourist development, which destroys the suitable nesting beaches and creates in-water threats for the turtles such as speedboats. Crete is a very popular holiday resort and all of the nesting beaches are heavily used by tourists. In order to protect the nests, the beaches and the turtles in-water Cretes project is running a large Public Awareness (PA) programme. As a volunteer you will help to inform as many visitors as possible about the turtles and about the ways they can help to save the Caretta caretta. You will also take part in fundraising to collect money for covering the running costs of the project. We carry out PA work from the beginning of June till the end of the season. It includes: Beach patrols where we inform beach users how to behave on the nesting beaches in order not to harm the nests Safe guarding of nesting beaches at night to prevent people from entering the beaches and therefore disturbing turtles Running of information kiosk Giving slide shows and conducting Information Tables at hotels Volunteers who are here at the end of the season are helping with dismantling the campsite, packing everything up and storing it so it's ready to use for the following season. Everything you need is available on the camp: cooking facilities, showers, toilets. ARCHELON is constantly trying to improve living conditions for volunteers but money is a limiting factor. It takes the responsibility and effort of every single volunteer to maintain and run the campsite. As well, in a weekly rotating schedule every volunteer is supposed to help with the cleaning of the camp, toilets, kitchen etc. Please note that you need to be in the project one day before your first day of participation and you can stay one day after the last day of participation in the project. Please note: The work includes long working hours in the heat (sometimes 6 hours), and that we get to some of the shifts by walking, some paths up-/downhill. With an average level of fitness this is manageable, but please be prepared that the work can be hard and exhausting. With the right attitude and the right team it is still fun!

5 Accommodation: The field station in Rethymno is located in the private Camping Elizabeth, which has direct access to the 11 km sandy beach of Rethymno. The campsite is situated in Misiria area, where the walking distance along the beach to the centre of the old town of Rethymno is 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can use the local bus. The bus terminal station is located on the Kefalogiannidon str., near old town of Rethymno (Frequent departures, duration 20min, fare 1.00). Service at the campsite: Washing facilities (paid service) Security: free individual or communal deposit boxes Internet Wi-Fi (you need to have your own laptop) and use of fax Natural shading areas Solar hot showers Taverna Toilets 15% discount in the tavern's cooked dishes and 10% discount in coffees

6 PARTICIPATION COSTS Since the project of Rethymno is placed in an organised camping the volunteers need to cover the participation fee for ARCHELON which is a fixed cost of 150 and then to cover their own accommodation cost directly with the administration of the organised camping Elizabeth. The accommodation cost per night is 5. The total accommodation cost will be paid there. The cost will be paid according to individual arrangements upon arrival. The contact details of the campsite are the followings: Camping Elizabeth contacts; 84 Ionias St., Missiria Rethymno Crete Greece Tel./Fax: info@camping-elizabeth.net It is necessary upon your arrival to give your passport in the reception of the campsite. If the reception is closed you must go to the campsite s tavern where you can always find someone in charge.

7 Furthermore: The participation fee includes administration and training cost as well as the cost of the annual subscription to ARCHELON, an exclusive volunteer T-shirt (received upon arrival) and the insurance of the volunteers in case of an accident (up to a limit). The volunteers are living in ARCHELON camping for the duration of their volunteering. The fee is given once and needs to be sent before the volunteer starts his/her period of volunteering. No volunteer can stay in the project for a period more than the one has already been agreed (except otherwise arranged). Please note that you need to be in the project one day before your first day of participation and you can stay one day after the last day of participation in the project. ARCHELON is not in a position to offer financial assistance or give refunds. Volunteers cover both travel and food expenses.

8 GOOD TO KNOW: The official start of the project is the 15th of May There will not be anybody there before the 15th of May. The official end of the project is the 10 th of October On the campsite we run a communal food system that helps to keep the living expenses for everybody as low as possible (not more than 3-4 euro per day or 20 euro per week). The money you pay to the 'food fund' once a week covers all essential food needs and provides you with basic breakfast, lunch and dinner, and if there's some money left at the end of the week, then we get ice cream and chocolate cake... This food system is not obligatory, it is recommended though as it is cheaper and helps the communal living and storage of food. There are super markets in walking distance where you can do your own shopping. Pets are not allowed Volunteers are responsible for the safety of their valuables. Camping Elisabeth provides security (free individual or communal deposit boxes), but in any case ARCHELON takes no responsibility volunteers' property. ARCHELON can only provide the campsite with basic living facilities (cleaning product, toilet papers etc.) and equipment. Everything you need is available on the camp: cooking facilities, showers, toilets. ARCHELON is constantly trying to improve living conditions for volunteers but money is a limiting factor. It takes the responsibility and effort of every single volunteer to maintain and run the campsite. As well, in a weekly rotating schedule every volunteer is supposed to help with the cleaning of the camp, kitchen etc. The volunteers can get a participation Certificate upon request to the volunteers@archelon.gr and only after the end of their placement. In case of an internship the volunteers should inform the volunteers officer in volunteers@archelon.gr with all the requirements of the University well before hand. Please note that due to the amount of work, the paper work arrangements for internships might take some time. Please note that no project data can be used for any report you may have to write.

9 Weather Summers are very hot and sunny during the day, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40oC. During the night it can get cooler and humid. At the beginning and at the end of the project it can get cold during the nights. Rain also is usual in May and in September/October

10 HOW TO GET TO RETHYMNO S PROJECT There are two airports on Crete, in Heraklion and Chania. Several flights are available to both from major European airports. Alternatively, you can fly to the Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). From there, you can connect to Heraklion or Chania (2-5 flights daily, duration 45 min). You can also take the ferry to Crete from Piraeus, the port of Athens. By plane There is no airport in Rethymno. Several flights are available to Chania or Heraklion from major European airports. For details, please contact your travel agent. Alternatively, you can fly from Athens International Airport to Chania or Heraklion or you can arrange a connected flight. The flight's duration is 50 minutes to Chania and 60 minutes to Heraklion. For details contact Olympic Airlines ( or Aegean Airlines ( From Chania or Heraklion airport you can arrive to Rethymno by bus or taxi. The taxi costs about 60-70, and it advised you agree on a fare before getting into the taxi. The drive lasts about an hour from Chania and about 80 minutes from Herakleion. Alternatively, because there are not frequent local buses to the Central Bus Stations, you can take a taxi from Heraklion or Chania airport to KTEL* bus terminal, then bus to Rethymno. The bus ticket costs about 6 euros and it takes 60 minutes from Chania and 90 minutes from Herakleion. Make sure that you catch the bus that takes the new national road. The buses depart every hour from until When you arrive in Rethymno's Central Bus Station please follow the instructions below in order to find the camping. * KTEL is the name of the bus company For further bus information:

11 By Ferry To Chania or Herakleion For further information (shipping companies): ΑΝΕΚ LINES MINOAN LINES You can also take the ferry from Piraeus (the port of Athens) to the ports of Herakleion or Chania and then get a bus to Rethymno's Central Bus Station (there will be buses ready to depart opposite the ferry). The bus ticket costs about 6 euros and it takes 60 minutes from Chania and 90 minutes from Herakleion. Make sure that you catch the bus that takes the new national road. The buses depart every hour from until When you arrive in Rethymno's Central Bus Station please follow the instructions below in order to find the camping. To get at the camp by bus from Rethymno's Central Bus Station you must get on the bus to Hotels- Panormo. The "Hotel Bus" stops every minutes at the bus stop on the main road. Camping Elizabeth is 5 minutes walk from the main road. On the main road, opposite the bus station you will see the campsite's sign and a road to the sea. Follow the road and turn right at the first road you will meet. A few meters later you will see the entrance of the campsite. Bus ticket price one way is If you arrive in Athens International Airport and you want to get in Piraeus port you need to get the bus No. X96 from the Athens airport (frequent departures, bus fare 3.60) and get off at "Plateia Karaiskaki" in Piraeus. Ferries depart every evening (between 16:00 and 21:00) from Piraeus to Chania, Heraklion and Rethymno (duration 9-10 hours, fare deck class one-way). Shipping companies: ANEK lines ( MINOAN lines ( Hellenic Seaways ( More information you can also get from the following airport link PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK DEPARTURES AND FARES

12 WHAT TO BRING: Camping gear (Tent, camping mattress, sleeping bag, torch, alarm clock) Decent clothing for working with the public (our presentations take place in 5- stars hotels so you need to look professional and well dressed- you need to wear clean shirt or t-shirt, long trousers or skirts, clean shoes, no sandals). Νote that we live in camp so any white or very light coloured clothes can get dirty quite easily Robust clothes and good walking shoes for working on the beach Bathing suit, sun screen, sun glasses, mosquito repellent, sun hat or any other kind of sun protection for your head (all these items can also be bought on the island) Comfortable clothes and shoes or sandals suitable for hot weather Waterproofs (rain coat and proper shoes)... especially for the beginning and the end of the season! Warm clothes for beginning and end of season (May, June, September, October)... it gets quite cold during the nights. DRIVING LICENCE if you have one. When you drive a car in Greece you need to carry your license on you. Optional: CDs or ipod... if you want to enrich the variety of music available on camp a bit, something to read, snorkelling stuff, games, good ideas... Head torch with red light Sense of adventure YOUR SMILE! You don't need to bring any cooking stuff such as cutlery... everything (of the basics) is available at the campsite -but you can always enrich our kitchen equipment.

13 Before you come to Crete: Please have a look on ARCHELON's web site ( to get an idea about sea turtles, the organisation and the Crete s project. If you have any difficulties call Rethymno office at (0030) or Crete Project Coordinator Reggina Stefanatou at (0030) or Athens Office the Volunteers Officer Theoni Karkoulia at (0030) (working hours: Monday-Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm) or in case of emergencies (0030) PLEASE INFORM THE PROJECT BY (crete@archelon.gr and archelon.crete@gmail.com) FOR THE EXACT TIME AND DATE OF YOUR ARRIVAL. IT IS NECESSARY TO BRING WITH YOU A PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR PASSPORT OR I.D We are looking forward to meeting you on Crete soon.