Sandfell - Fljótsdalshérað

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working on environmental and nature oriented tasks in this project, based on an Icelandic farm. Our tasks will mainly be focused on improving the environment in and around the whole area; planting trees, doing some paint work.

We might also help with building items out of timber. Furthermore we might assist in general clean up of the area, helping with other outdoor activities.

The host keeps horses, dogs and cats. The volunteers will have access to the animals and will be given guidance in taking care of and riding horses.

The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local host, the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the valley and of course on the weather conditions. We will help to preserve the local environment. Last but not least we will explore the surrounding of the location and enjoy free time activities arranged in cooperation with the local host, such as horse back riding.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation with access to kitchen and bathroom. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The group will be responsible for cooking and cleaning activities and please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The farm is located in beautiful landscape with mountains and walleyes. It is close to Hallormsstaðaskógur, the largest wooded area of the country that spreads over 30 ha. Of land. The reforestation of the forest has been going on ever since a law for the protection was passed in1899. The tree collection keeps an extensive variety of foreign trees and is renowned among professionals and travellers. 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 walleye of the country and up to Sandfell where the view is quite magnificent. Riding tours up to the mountains or in the woodland is also a nice experience. Small stream runs through the land where children and adults can cool down in warm summer days.

The project is located in the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað, Iceland's easternmost populous municipality; 17 km from the largest town in the Eastern Iceland – Egilsstaðir (population 2300). It is a young town, but which has become the largest town of east Iceland and offers a swimming pool, shops and museums among other main services.

The wild reindeers of Iceland are found in Fljótsdalshérað, they are about ten thousand and also the biggest forest in Iceland, Hallormstaðarskógur is located within the district.

The East Fjords is a region of a special landscape, dominated by long, narrow fjords and steep mountains. This is one of the oldest regions of Iceland shaped by glaciers in the Ice Age.

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, 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.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 100.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working with outdoors and getting to know ways of living in rural areas in Iceland. The host will organize some free time activities and introduce us to the local community. Volunteers will be offered to take hourse back riding and an introduction to how to treat and hold horses.

AGE: 18+