Forestry in the far East of Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working on a project in the beautiful forest Hallormsstaðaskógur in the far East of Iceland, doing nature and environmental oriented tasks. SEEDS has been cooperating with the Icelandic forest service and our groups of volunteers have been helping out for few years with very good results for the participants, the projects and the Icelandic nature conservation and reforestation efforts.

The main tasks will be to maintain hiking paths, build stairs, make and put up signs. Volunteers will also put up benches and tables in the forest. Other tasks will be to trim branches and beautify groves that are located near hiking paths. Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging the area and this important work also helps to improve safety for visitors.

The work can be demanding and might require a good physical condition. No previous experience is needed. As it is outdoors work, volunteers shall be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the -changeable- weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned. The working plan will be flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local host, the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the forest and of course on the weather conditions.

Volunteers should be prepared for all kinds of weather and bring warm winter clothes as the tasks take place outside and it can get very cold at this time of the year.  Bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking shoes/boots, a good sleeping bag, hat scarves  and gloves.  

Last but not least volunteers can explore the surroundings of the location and enjoy free time activities arranged in cooperation with the our local project host.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will sleep in beds in a house belonging to the Icelandic forest service. The house is fully equipped. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food or drinks from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: Hallormsstaðaskógur is the largest wooded area of the country that spreads over 740 ha of land. The reforestation of the forest has been going on since a law for the protection was passed in 1899. The oldest part of the woodland is accessible with good hiking trails and explanation signs.

The area offers great variety of walking paths, such as to the deepest valley of the country and up to Sandfell where the view is quite magnificent. Small streams run through the land where children and adults can cool down in warm summer days.

The East Fjords is a region of a special landscape, dominated by long, narrow fjords and steep mountains and the wild reindeers of Iceland are found here, the herd counts between three and four thousand animals.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík 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.

Departure from Reykjavík will be at 7:00 in the morning of September 2 from SEEDS office. After the camp, we will arrive back to Reykjavík in the late evening of September 15.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

The participation fee does not include the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp and back but we estimate the costs about EUR 75 each way. If you take SEEDS minibus option to and from the camp location, you will be able to go all around Iceland, as we drive different ways (either North or South) to and from the camp.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, as autumn is coming, bring warm winter clothes as walking boots, a good sleeping bag and gloves. The project takes place outside and it can get very cold. Please bring warm under-layers, waterproofs. Free time activities in the area will be organised depending on weather.

Age: 18+