Wildlife and environmental protection in Greece

You live with a maximum of 13 other volunteers in a recently renovated, traditional, two-storey stone house with a large veranda. The first floor is an open-air laboratory and can also be used as a meeting place. You and your volunteer friends have a shared kitchen, two bathrooms, two interior seating areas and a total of 14 beds at your disposal. For the summer the house has fans to cool you down and in the winter you can warm up by a wood stove.

There is a large kitchen where you can cook together with the other volunteers and the team. Kitchen utensils and food, such as oil and spices, are available to you. You can get the ingredients nearby and from controlled cultivation. From time to time the team also goes to a local tavern together. You can use the washing machine and drying areas free of charge, and there is also a cleaning service once a week that takes care of bed linen, towels and dishes. Shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and beaches are within walking distance - you will also find a sports facility for basketball and football nearby.

Most of the time you are on foot in teams (two or more people) on the way to the deployment site - either on public roads or footpaths. However, sometimes you will also be traveling by boat, with your way to work taking you through the Mediterranean Sea. Depending on which island you are headed for, the journey can take up to three hours.

About 10 to 15 days a year, the team camps with the volunteers on the remote islands for monk seal monitoring (and other environmental activities). Mostly camping takes place on the northern part of Kastos or Atokos islands. There is no guarantee that you will actually camp 10 to 15 days at a time. The periods vary and depend on the current and necessary activities. All equipment is provided and transportation is taken care of by the local team. You are responsible for your own meals while camping.

The Ionian Islands lie off the west coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea. A total of about 50 islands belong to this group. Corfu, with its historic old town, is particularly popular with travelers. But the other larger and smaller islands also have a lot to offer!

Of course, it is above all the fantastic beaches that impress many here. White sandy beaches and turquoise blue water - exactly how you imagine a classic holiday paradise! Inland, vineyards, olive trees and pine trees adorn the landscape. In the port towns and mountain villages, on the other hand, there are numerous castles, churches and monasteries to discover.

Would you like to get to know life on a Greek island and above all work to protect and preserve this natural diversity? Then this location is perfect for you! Especially if you are interested in environmental and marine biology research and would like to get involved in this area.

Kalimera! On the Ionian Islands you can enjoy the Greek way of life to the fullest. Your project location is on a quiet island. Nevertheless, in your free time you can enjoy Greek delicacies in traditional restaurants, end the evening relaxed in a bar, let off steam in the nearby sports hall with a game of football or basketball or simply relax on the beach.

If you have a little more time available, make sure to use it for extensive island hopping! The island of Lefkada is a good starting point. It will captivate you with its contrasting landscapes: on the one hand the east coast with its gentle, flat beaches and dense vegetation and on the other hand the wild west coast with steep cliffs and deep blue water. 

From Lefkada you hop on to Kefalonia. Here you will find a rough landscape. White limestone cliffs line the coast and enclose the turquoise waters in the bays. Continue to Ithaca, home of the famous Odysseus. The quiet island invites you to simply relax and unwind.

Hop back to Kefalonia and from there to the island of Zakynthos. In addition to the beautiful beaches, you can also visit the tranquil villages or discover the beautiful nature while hiking.