Nature reserve of Þórsmörk - The forest of Þór

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS, will work again this year with our groups of volunteers in the natural protected reserve of ??rsm?rk*. Volunteers? tasks in this project will be mainly focused on preparations of the area before the summer season as this is one of the most beautiful sites of the country and therefore very popular among local and foreign visitors, hikers and nature lovers.

SEEDS will support the administration of the reserve putting up the visitors? area, the mountain huts and the housing facilities. We will get the houses up and running after the area is closed in the autumn; we will be cleaning the area, furbishing the huts and the common facilities. Work might include maintenance and renovation of windows that may be affected by the frost of the past winter. Other tasks include painting and retouching of the huts, preparation of the camping site and outdoors area, arranging fences and general works in order to prepare the reserve.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay in the ranger?s huts and will sleep in bunk beds or mattresses on the floor. Please bring your own warm sleeping bag. Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities.

LOCATION: The ??rsm?rk natural reserve is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, surrounded by beautiful mountains, glaciers and glacial rivers. ??rsm?rk itself is situated in the south of Iceland, about 160 km from Reykjav?k. For years, the only access to this special place was by a powerful jeep to cross the treacherous rivers, but that is no longer the case. Most of the tourists reach the place by specially 4x4 equipped cross-country buses.

??rsm?rk is famous for spectacular nature and is very popular to visit and go hiking. There are many hiking trails inside the area of ??rsm?rk as the unique, summer 2-3 days hike ?Laugavegur? to Landmannalaugar. There are also many opportunities for short treks, so it is a perfect place for nature lovers and those who enjoy being outdoors.

??rsm?rk is an idyllic place of exceptional meteorological conditions hidden in the embrace of glaciers and mountains and was actually a fjord from the ocean about 12.000 years ago. The weather here is also often known to be better and less windy than in the surrounding areas - making it a great destination to go to when the weather is lousy elsewhere.

??rsm?rk is a place of breathtaking landscapes and a fauna of great variety. It is the home of 170 seminiferous plants as well as a variety of trees, moss and fern. The main reason for the variety of plants and trees is probably attributed to the fact that the area has been exempt from sheep and horsegrazing for over 100 years.

Please, feel free to check the pictures from the last year, from the photo gallery of SEEDS: http://www.seedsiceland.org/pictures-iceland-en.html

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflav?k (Reykjav?k), KEF. Closest bus stop is Hvolsv?llur. SEEDS organises the ?minibus option?, a shared transport from Reykjav?k to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

SPECIAL REMARKS / EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 120,- (Euros). Remote places located in natural reserved areas of extreme beauty. Hikes and free time activities in the area will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers.

AGE: 18+

*The name ??rsm?rk means ?the forest of ??r? or " ??r?s woods"