Nature in the West of Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working in the municipality of Skorradalshreppur on few different projects related to environmental preservation. One of our main tasks will be to remove the lupine plant (from Alaska, USA). Icelanders used lupine to control soil erosion and re-vegetate eroded areas. In some areas of Iceland, lupine have spread to a greater extent than desired and are endangering native plant species. Therefore lupine must be removed from certain areas.

Our work will not only involve removing lupine; we will also be doing other activities in-between. One task will be to rebuild and fix an old wall originally made out of gravel and turf. The wall used to serve the purpose of a fence, keeping livestock in or out of the fields. Walls of this style used to be common in Iceland, but are now becoming ruined. Many people want to preserve them. We will be using local materials to fix and rebuild the wall.

We may work in other nearby locations such as the forest, maintaining and creating walking paths.

ACCOMMODATION: We will be hosted in a local community centre, sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available. We will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the west of Iceland in the sparsely populated municipality of Skorradalshreppur. We will be working in the long and narrow valley of Skorradalur. Lake Skorradalsvatn is in the middle of the valley. Also within the valley is a forest with both planted and naturally growing trees. This landscape creates a great appeal and many people have decided to build their summerhouses in the area. The end of the valley lies towards the mountains of Akrafjall and Skarðsheiði, which are famously said to be like purple dreams in an old Icelandic song.

Borgarnes is the largest town in the area, with a population of about 1,900. Located on a peninsula, Borgarnes is home to the second largest bridge in Iceland. The original settlement of Borgar á Mýrum, also known as Digranes was situated in the same area as modern-day Borgarnes. The early settlement of Borgar á Mýrum is the location of some events described in the ancient Icelandic sagas, specifically Egils saga. Here, according to the legend, the luggage of Kveld-Úlfur, ran ashore, causing him to stay and found the town.

Many sites in the area are named after people in the famous Egils saga, e.g, the cairn of Skallagrímur in Skallagrímsgarði (park), Brákarsund and Brákarey. Brákarsund was named after a female slave, Brák who was stoned and killed by Skallagrímur as she fled, swimming over the strait. A memorial has been erected in her honour at the strait. Many of the streets in Borganes are also named after people from Egils saga, namely, Skallagrímsgata, Kveldúlfsgata, Böðvarsgata and Egilsgata.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, travelling in the minibus allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, stopping along the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 150.

Volunteers applying for this project should be motivated to work with people in outdoor activities. We will be prepared for walking and following a flexible time schedule.