For some, Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu represent the quintessential Greek getaway - blazing sun, blue seas, flirting and clubbing till dawn. For others, deluxe hotels, crowded beaches and noisy bars are a far cry from the ideal holidays. As an alternative, organisations dedicated to the preservation of the environment recruit volunteers keen to spend a few days or weeks on hands-on projects.

From Evros to Prespes and Zakynthos to Crete, those in search of a holiday escape with a difference can be given the chance to educate themselves and in turn educate the public, restore heritage buildings, build pathways and help in the protection of dolphins, turtles, sea lions and other endangered wildlife.

Protecting sea turtles
Archelon, a Sea Turtle Protection Society, runs the only rehabilitation centre in the country, monitoring the fate of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) as well as the Chelonia mydas for the past 15 years on a non-profit basis.

Volunteers, who must be over 18 years of age and be fluent in English, will make their way to the major nesting areas of the turtles in Zakynthos, Peloponnesos or Crete, where they will assist specialised staff in protecting nesting beaches from humans and nests from foxes and jackals. They will also restore sand dunes and help maintain turtle trails as well as assist in establishing a peaceful coexistence between humans and turtles. Archelon runs particularly demanding conservation projects and requires volunteers to commit a minimum of 21 days to the project. Volunteers share designated campsites with staff members and other volunteers.

For more information visit the organisation's website, call Archelon on (00301) 523-1342 or email to stps@archelon.gr.

Cleaning up the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Network SOS together with the Organisation for Ecological Recycling organise yearly initiatives to clean up Greece's coastlines. To join the Cyclades clean-up campaign, which kicks off on July 22 and runs through to August 6, call (00301) 822-8795 or 822-4481.

Treating the injured
Participating in the activities of the Hellenic Wildlife Hospital (known as EKPAZ) on the island of Aegina will mean covering your travelling costs to get to the island, but once there, the organisation undertakes your stay at their premises. For a variety of programs and treatments that run all year long, a minimum of three days is required from each volunteer, who should be over 16 years of age.

The hospital most commonly caters to the needs of wounded European Buzzards (usually victims of illegal shooting) with some 500-700 treated every year. Pelicans and storks, herons, Imperial and Golden Eagles, flamingos and vultures are also treated and then freed back to their habitat.

Volunteers will assist in the treatment of wounded birds and mammals - the most common among them being the red fox, with about 20-30 treated annually. Hedgehogs, owls and even jackals have also been treated on the premises, as well as reptiles - mostly tortoises, but also other threatened species, like the chameleon.

Register participation on (00301) 952-0117 or via email on hlcwfhos@otenet.gr.

In the company of seals
MOm's summer volunteer programs, launched in 1990, take place on the Sporades Islands, specifically on Alonissos and Skopelos, where Information Centres welcome volunteers over the age of 18, who are willing to spend at least two weeks of their summertime in rented rooms or organised camping grounds on the islands.

The organisation studies all aspects of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), who were once protected by ancient Greek gods Poseidon and Apollo, yet nowadays they need more than divine intervention for the protection of their fragile natural habitat.

To register your interest call MOm on (00301) 522-2888 between 11am and 4pm.

Talking to dolphins
The Institute of Cetacean Studies is organising a volunteer program as part of a research project entitled The Dolphins of the Corinthian Gulf . The project will run for four weeks from August 4 through to September 7. Research will be carried out on a dinghy and volunteers will be accommodated in beachside apartments.

If you can spare a minimum of one week, more information is available on (003010) 896-0108.