National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades Volunteer Opportunities

  Greece

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: At least two weeks

Description: Enthusiastic, motivated individuals with an interest in environmental conservation are invited to offer volunteer work on the island of Alonnisos where the first National Marine Park in Greece and the largest in the Mediterranean, was established in 1992. Volunteers will assist the Management Body of the Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades in its difficult and demanding task to protect and manage this unique ecosystem with great biological diversity and important cultural values. The Marine Park Area is one of the most important habitats of the monk seal (Monachus monachus), a species which is one of the six most threatened mammals in the world.

Volunteers are required to assist in the implementation of the Park's day-to-day Management Program which includes field work and office duties.

Please read carefully the details below, about the work you are invited to do:

1. Field Work
Fieldwork routines include the enforcement of the Park's protection measures and regulations, monitoring of ecological conditions and parameters, education and information of the Park's visitors and research.

Boat patrols operate in the Marine Park on a daily basis, checking on activities, monitoring and guarding the Park's large area, disseminating information to the varied users of the Marine Park area and offering site-specific information.
Volunteers must be prepared to become members of the patrol boat's crew, informing visitors about the Park's regulations, encouraging compliance with Marine Park management principles, assisting in the boat's operation and help Park's officers in their various duties.

Volunteers will assist in the implementation of monitoring programmes which measure the condition of natural values and evaluate the effectiveness of management.

Research opportunities are available for students interested to carry out undergraduate or postgraduate research during their voluntary work.

2. Office Duties   
Park's office is located in Patitiri, Alonnisos and volunteers must be prepared to be involved with office duties, including assisting with the setting up of the Resource Centre, filing etc.

Into the office area, operates an information and public awareness centre. Volunteers, who are able to communicate and inform people, will interact with the centre's visitors, distribute material and provide general information about the National Marine Park.

Highlights: Field Work Requirements - Conditions
Volunteers stay onboard the patrol boat during field work and on days off, stay on the volunteer's house located in Patitiri. It is absolutely necessary to bring along warm and comfortable clothes, waterproofs, plus decent clothes for working with the public.

Volunteers are required to have some sailing experience and not get easily seasick. There is no physical labour involved with the work at least something that a normal person cannot handle. Leaving on a boat surely there are more dangers than living in an apartment but you will not be involved with any dangerous activities.

Volunteers must be prepared to share a communal life, living and working in secluded areas, often as members of small teams and usually under harsh conditions. The ability to live and co-operate with people of different cultures and background is essential.

Volunteers are trained and supervised by the Park's officers and experienced project members. They must be prepared to participate in every aspect of the work. Duties are allocated by the officers and may include working throughout the night or long hours during the day.

Office Work Requirements - Conditions

Usually, volunteer duties and a rough programme are worked out beforehand on a mutual understanding, and a working schedule is delineated in the first few days of the volunteer's arrival.

Tasks are carried out with the assistance of a staff counterpart, and short meetings are held on a regular basis to evaluate progress. When possible, volunteers are encouraged to bring a laptop computer as office computer resources seem to be always in use!

The office based work includes - but is not limited to - filing, letter writing, computer orientated and archive resource centre tasks, database updating, internet search, etc. Volunteers are expected to have some relevant experience. Good IT knowledge and good command in English are essential.
It also includes Public Awareness activities such as the running of exhibition area which operates inside the Park's office and providing information to visitors.

Volunteers stay on the Park's volunteer house located in Patitiri, Alonnisos. It is absolutely necessary to bring along comfortable clothes, plus decent clothes for working with the public.

General Requirements - Conditions

Applicants must be over 18 years of age, able to communicate in English and carry a health insurance policy. Volunteers are selected on an individual basis.

Volunteers are to dedicate a minimum of 2 weeks for their stay free of charge at the Marine Park's volunteer house in Alonnisos and onboard the patrol boat for those who apply for the field work (long term participation is appreciated). The Marine Park's volunteer house is located in Patitiri, Alonnisos and has two guestrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom with all amenities. Sheets, towels and laundry services are provided by the Marine Park Authority. At the outcome of their stay, volunteers are requested to submit a short report of their experience. If required, a recommendation letter may be provided.

Volunteers are entitled to 4 days off during a 15 day period.

Qualifications: If you have an eager desire to assist in protecting nature and are willing to experience working with many other people like you, complete and send your application.

Please send us a profile of yourself with a photo by email or direct mail. Do not forget to indicate the time availability. Applicants should speak English fluently. Applicants must work well with people and have skills & abilities in communications and human relations.

Applicants will be notified within 20 working days from the day we receive the application, as to whether you have been accepted.

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: no cost

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-55

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Greece Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades's Mission Statement: The basic objective of the Management Body's Integrated Management of the National Marine Park of Alonnisos Northern Sporades is to combine the conservation of biodiversity and protection of natural ecosystems with an increasing economic development and social cohesion under the principles of sustainable development. We are encouraging intense participation and cooperation of local agencies, Universities, NGOs and active citizens in the care and development of the marine park.

Year Founded: 2003