Alumni of the University of Essex matchfunded £375
By
Samantha Adams-Nimmo
Argostoli
This summer, I hope to be working alongside a research group
known as
Wildlife Sense
for two weeks from the 10th to the 24th of September. Wildlife Sense is a charity and research organisation which
studies the ever-decreasing population of Loggerhead Sea Turtles of the coast
of Kefalonia, Greece. The project aims to study and protect the endangered Sea
Turtles and their nests from damage, to have the maximum number of hatchlings reaching
the sea safely to ensure their future survival as a species.
Every year, sea turtles migrate to Kefalonia to forage and
reproduce. However, both human and natural events often damage and destroy many
eggs. The turtles themselves are regularly injured or killed by accidental boat
strikes, entrapment in fishing gear, or after swallowing plastics left behind
by littering. These threats push the sea turtles of Kefalonia closer to the
brink of extinction.
Therefore, to be able to take part I am aiming to raise £900 to cover the costs of both the project work, and travel expenses.
My name is Samantha and I am a 1st year Biosciences student, studying Marine Biology. As I am passionate about the oceans and the animals that reside within them, I think this project is a perfect fit for me as it combines something I am enthusiastic about with my degree discipline.
The volunteering role involves the surveying of beaches, looking for any recently laid nests, and then recording the abundance and condition of the eggs inside. By taking part in the project in September I hope to be able to monitor the hatching stage of the turtles, and ensure that the hatchlings have the best possible opportunity to reach the sea.
Shifts may involve survey work, counting the number of potential hatching sites, or protection of the nests from light pollution or those who may disrupt the nest sites. With the information gathered, Wildlife Sense will be able to continuously improve their conservation methods and maximise the reproductive success of Kefalonia’s turtle population.
Target: £750
This target covers the cost of the project, including:
• Shared accommodation with other volunteers on the project
• Food (cooked in rota by the volunteers)
• An official researcher t-shirt
• Ongoing training and project operation costs
• Return flights to Kefalonia
• Minibus transport to UK airport and airport pickup and drop off in Kefalonia
The extra money (if reached) will be used as an upgrade to my personal photography equipment, to deliver even higher quality reward photographs.
I am offering rewards as thanks for donating to my project. These may range from images, to postcard to links on social media! Check them out on the right-hand side of my page.
I will be posting updates of my fundraising efforts, as well as during the actual project on my social media.
Any support will be greatly appreciated. Please share this
project with anyone you think would be wanting to support me – on Twitter,
Facebook, etc..
Select this reward if you just want to donate to the project without receiving a reward.
3 claimed
Thank you so much for donating. You will receive a shout-out on a social media of your choice.
0 claimed
Estimated delivery: 1 September 2017
Thank you for the donation, you shall receive three A5 quality printed photographs of areas of your interest, eg the island, turtles, or the project itself.
0 claimed of 5
Estimated delivery: 1 October 2017
Thank you for the donation, you will receive five A5 quality printed photographs of your choice, on any subject area of interest, eg. the island, the turtles, or even the project itself.
1 claimed of 3
Estimated delivery: 1 October 2017
Thank you for your generosity, you shall receive the five A5 photographs of a subject area of your choice, and a postcard from Kefalonia updating you on the project.
0 claimed of 3
Estimated delivery: 1 October 2017
Thank you for your generosity! You shall receive the five A5 photographs of subject areas of your choice, a postcard keeping you updated on the project. I shall also bring you back something nice from the island!
1 claimed of 1
Estimated delivery: 1 September 2017