Project Leaders
Turtle Conservation on the Greek Island of Zakynthos

Yannis Vardakastanis - Project Leader

Yannis became a conservationist in 1991, establishing a conservation NGO in 1993. He grew up in Gerakas but left to live in the UK for a while. When he returned to his homeland he saw the damage being done and so then directed his energy into bringing conservation and sustainable tourism together, culminating in the launch of two green tourism companies for which he won a First Choice Responsible Tourism award in 2005.

Helen King - Project Leader

Helen has been a visitor to Zakynthos for over 12 years, finally deciding to “retire” there in 2006, leaving her career managing care for the physically and mentally disabled. She rescued German Shepherd Dogs, and trained them in obedience and agility to display standard, and fostered cats for the RSPCA until they could be found new homes, then did three years voluntary work at St. Tiggywinkle’s Wildife Hospital. She joined as a volunteer at Gerakas, only to find herself joining Yannis full time in the middle of summer 2006.

Chris Dean - project coordinator and scientific officer

Christopher graduated in 2001 with a BSc(hons)in Ecology from the University of Wolverhampton. He has been working with our partner for 6 years on sea turtle preservation, as project coordinator and scientific officer.