Natural heritage in the far East (1:2)

WORK & STUDY/PROJECT:

SEEDS Volunteers will be working in the east at a Nature & Heritage centre, doing different tasks, helping the centre become as sustainable as possible.

SEEDS volunteers have been assisting this project for some years now and our main tasks will be reforestation & soil erosion prevention; we will assist in preparing vegetable gardens, care for pigs, hens, ducks, a cow and a horse – all being a part of the areas sustainability. These projects may also include traditional food and drink preparation, like smoking, curing, cheese making and even ale brewing.

A new task for us will be collecting down from the eider ducks and making bird habitats.  Our host is planning to build a barn and we will assist him with that. We might also build shelter and fences for the animals and clean the coastline.

ACCOMMODATION:

We will stay within the reserve and will sleep in bunk beds in shared rooms.  Please bring your own sleeping bags.

We will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available. Please bring some traditional food from your countries for the international evening.

LOCATION:

The heritage and nature conservation centre and its reserve are located in a very isolated area in the East of Iceland, far from any urban centre. We have to be aware of the location remoteness, as its extreme natural beauty and wildlife. There are no public transportation services to the closest town and entertainment alternatives are in connection with the gorgeous nature; walking and hiking journeys during the free time and the creativity of the group.

This project is adequate for volunteers enjoying isolated places with splendid nature and looking for peaceful surroundings as the quietness of the area. The sea and High Mountains, reaching up to 600 meters in height, border the area. You can also discover waterfalls, snowfields and reindeer – all within walking distance of the house.

The reserve is managed as a conservation site for environmental education and sustainable tourism; hosting a number of environmentally important flora and fauna including one of Iceland’s largest colonies of Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), 600m sea cliffs hosting numbers of nesting sea birds (incl. Puffin, Kittiwake and Fulmar), herds of reindeer and it is home to the elusive arctic fox.

Some other bird species include Black-tailed Godwit, Red-necked Phalarope, Golden Plover, Merlin and you may even be lucky enough to observe Europe’s largest falcon the Gyr Falcon.

The heritage site is very popular and over last summer the visitors included university students, environmental volunteers, professionals in nature, heritage, academia, food production and arts, hundreds of tourists and a pagan priest to mention but a few.

LANGUAGE:

English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL:

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Egilsstadir (EGS).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS:

Participation fee EUR 140,- (Euros).

Free time activities will include making cheese and ale, as well as enjoying the many things the exquisite nature offers us.  

Remote places located in natural reserve areas of extreme beauty. The group will have the opportunity to learn about the environment and culture of Iceland through working on the reserve.

Age: 18 +