Arnarfjörður - "The Fjord of the Eagles"

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working once again on few different projects in the Icelandic Western Fjords (Vestfirðir), specifically in the area of Arnarfjörður or Fjord of the Eagles. The main tasks to be developed are following up few different projects started last year by SEEDS volunteers as well; those may include work on the different tree species in the area of Bíldudalur, at the Hnjúksvatn lake and construction works related to the monument on Guðmundur Pétursson Thorsteinsson, “Muggur” and its children's book Dimmalimm.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be hosted in a local house; sleeping on mattresses on the floor; therefore bringing a warm sleeping bag is highly recommended. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: Perhaps one of Iceland's most remote areas, the Fjord of the Eagles, Arnarfjörður, is located in the West fjords at 65º´ north of the Equator, close to the northern most part of the country and in the area is the western-most point of Iceland and Europe, Látrabjarg. The distance from Reykjavik is 475 km (7 hours drive) by the Whale Bay tunnel and around 300 km on road via Stykkishólmur and by the ferry to Brjánslækur.

Bíldudalur, at Arnarfjörður and one of the communities of Vesturbyggð, is a small sea-side village, built on the slopes between mountain and sea, on a spectacular fjord inlet, famed for its beautiful landscape and good weather. The summers are often very warm and sunny with gentle breezes, conditions which are hospitable for fishing, swimming, hiking and a variety of other activities. The beauty of the region attracts people and tourism has started to play an increasing role recently in the formerly fish and fish processing oriented economy of the town.

Throughout the ages, local people have earned a reputation for industrial innovation, unique evidence of which can still be seen in various places in the town. Culturally, they take pride in preserving local characteristics. The first acting society in Iceland was founded in Bíldudalur. Young and old took part in one way or the other which gives evidence in the high level of cultural life in this small fishing village. Not surprisingly, music is also an integral part of the villagers’ life. The Melodies of the Memories is an interesting museum devoted to the musical life in Iceland, founded by one of the many artists and performers that Bíldudalur has fostered.

The Icelandic Western Fjords are too often missed by visitors due to its distance (real and perceived) from Route 1, the circle road, and from other population centres. The West Fjords are a mass of fjords, mountains and isolated villages on spits of lands surrounded by water and mountains. The area includes its own glacier, the magnificent, remote Hornstrandir and Europe's westernmost point of land at Látrabjarg, there, millions of birds nest in the cliffs making it a must for bird watchers.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

STUDY THEME: Environmental messenger in the project. S/he will be in charge of delivering ecological and global education messages to both, International volunteers and local hosts. S/he will arrange and organise few activities that intend to raise awareness and to encourage the participants to undertake simple but easy-to-implement actions which will affect the way we use our resources and we deal with the environment and the world we live in.

TERMINAL: As last years, SEEDS will organise the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the workcamps and vice versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip to the project site, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites. Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF, closest domestic airport and bus terminal Bíldudalur (BIU).

EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 150,- . Excursions in the area as boat trips and hikes will be organised for SEEDS’ volunteers.