Information about the volunteer project in Pylos PROJECT NAME: Volunteer project for the protection of endangered species and the conservation of Gialova Lagoon (Pylos), a Natura 2000 site. SITE: Pylos, Southwestern Peloponnese, Greece. DURATION OF PROJECT: 20 June to 20 October APPLICATION FORM: In order to take part in the project, you need to fill in the application form. There is no fixed deadline for applications. Because changes of schedules and needs are always taking place, applications are accepted even throughout the summer. Applications will be examined and answered latest until the end of April and second round until the end of May. From then on and during the project, applications will be answered according to the current needs. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: It includes two main actions: a) Implementation of protection measures and research for chameleons (Chamaeleo africanus) b) Environmental awareness to locals and tourists. a) The work on chameleons is divided in four parts (4 volunteers): wardening of the main beach were they live against direct and indirect damage to the individuals, nests or habitat. This is done by a group of 12 volunteers that in teams of 3 or 2 will do watches of 4 hours on the beach. Nest monitoring will be done when the juveniles hatch from the nests situated on the beach below the sand. Three groups of two volunteers will walk along three sectors of the beach looking for newborn chameleons, will count them, determine their sex and release them on the bushes. All nests will be excavated 3 days after hatch, volunteers fill in a field protocol with all data. Protection of new nests will be carried out when females start laying the eggs on the beach. Three groups of 2 volunteers will walk along three sectors of the beach looking for females nesting. Protection of nest includes placing a metal net over the nest to protect it from predators, photographing and numbering the nest. Research is divided in direct observation of the behavior of the chameleons and in ecological, vegetation and population dynamics studies. (In this case volunteers with a background on biology, ecology or similar matters and students that are willing to do their field work as part of their University course will be preferred to the unskilled ones) b) Information to tourists and locals will be given at a kiosk in the village of Yalova. Guided tours for visitors will be carried out by trained volunteers in the lagoon for birdwatching and the nature trail. Also slide shows will be organised in near by hotels and camping sites. MONTHLY WORKS: June: Preperation of Project; July: Wardening of Chameleons, Information to tourists; August: Wardening, Research and Monitoring of hatchlings (from 10 August), Information to tourists; September: Wardening, Research and Monitoring of hatchlings (until 15-20 September as required) , Protection of nests (from 10 September), Information to tourists; October: Wardening, Protection of nests (until 20-25 October), Research on Chameleons. THE PLACE: It is a wonderful site at the sea, still safe from mass tourism with lots of nature. Sandy beaches where chameleons and sea turtles lay the eggs, rocky cliffs where Eagle owls and Peregrine falcons nest, a lagoon where more than 265 species of birds come in thousands of individuals during the migrations, cultivated fields dominated by olive groves. Gialova, the village center of the project, is 6 km far from the town of Pylos. Busses connect frequent the two places. In Gialova there are several restaurants and groceries shops, and in Pylos off course there are more. DURATION OF STAY: Three weeks to one month with the possibility to stay longer if desired. COST: Participation fee is 60 Euro. Transportation, accommodation and meals are extra, but consider that the camping will cost approximately 4 Euro/day and that in a restaurant a good and abundant meal costs only 10 Euro and life is generally not expensive at all. STAY: Volunteers will stay at an organized camping in the village of Gialova on the beach very close to the project site (Camping Navarino, http://www.navarino-beach.gr). It is requested to bring your own tent, sleeping bag and camping mattress. TRANSPORTATION: From Athens: To arrive in Pylos you get the bus from Kifisos bus station. There are two buses a day, one at 8:45 and the second at 15:30. It takes aproximately 6 hours. From Pylos there is a local bus to Gialova where you get off at the entrance of Camping Navarino. On site: Volunteers will move around by bicycle, since distances are very short. Cars are welcome. EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Obligatorily bring a good torch (maglite-rechargeable batteries) for the work on the chameleons. Tent and sleeping bag. Hats and sun creams are an important help against the Greek sun. Consider that with a sunburn you are going to be off for few days, and this should be avoided. This is all, we hope to see you soon! More about volunteering for the HOS Interest form More about Pylos Useful links www.chamaeleo-africanus.eu www.greenvolunteers.com www.ecoteer.com

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