The Challenge

The coasts of Corfu provide vital habitat for some of the Mediterranean’s most iconic marine species, including loggerhead and green sea turtles and the Mediterranean monk seal. In recent years, changing climate conditions have led to an increase in loggerhead sea turtle nesting on the beaches of southeastern Corfu. At the same time, these habitats are becoming increasingly vulnerable to rising sea temperatures, sea-level rise and human pressures.

As climate change reshapes coastal ecosystems, understanding which areas can continue to support wildlife in the future is essential for effective conservation planning.

The Response

Building on the objectives of the LIFE ADAPTS programme, this project combines scientific research, conservation planning, and community engagement to strengthen the protection of marine life.

With the support of Mar-Bella Collection, a local team from ARCHELON will map nesting beaches and critical habitats for the sea turtles of Corfu, monitor environmental conditions, assess climate-related risks, and identify priority areas for long-term conservation action.

The project will also work with local communities, visitors, and businesses to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and the actions needed to safeguard them.

 

The Outcomes

The project will improve our understanding of how climate change affects sea turtles and their habitats in Southern Corfu, helping identify areas that are most resilient and most in need of protection.

It will support better conservation planning, strengthen collaboration with local stakeholders, and contribute to the long-term safeguarding of the island’s unique coastal biodiversity.

On 3&4 July, the ARCHELON team delivered an interactive educational workshop at the Mar-Bella Collection Kids Club in Corfu, where children from different countries learned about the sea turtle’s life cycle and the challenges it faces through games and hands-on activities.

An information stand was also set up, allowing visitors of all ages to learn about sea turtles, the threats they face, and how they can help protect them. The days concluded with a beach clean-up, highlighting the importance of keeping nesting beaches free of litter for marine wildlife.

About Our Partner

This initiative is implemented by ARCHELON, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of sea turtles and their habitats in Greece. Since 1983, ARCHELON has combined research, conservation, education, and public awareness to safeguard nesting beaches and support sea turtle conservation nationwide.

 

A special thank you to Mar-Bella Collection for making this work possible and supporting the protection of Corfu’s marine biodiversity.