Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working on environmental and construction oriented tasks in this project in the North of the country. Our tasks will mainly be focused on improving the environment on the estate of our host who recently settled in a building originally meant for the fur industry. The task list offers various things to be performed by SEEDS volunteers such as: painting the space were the fur used to be handled, clearing out the loft, beautifying the area around the house, preparing the ground to install a vegetable garden and attending to the small things that need attention in and around the building.

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 valley and of course on the weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay in shared rooms in the family home of our host. The house is fully equipped with access to kitchen, bathroom, washing machine and internet. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. The host has arranged for SEEDS volunteers to have full access to the local swimming pool next door. This way our volunteers can take a shower anytime they feel like it.  

Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: In 1972 a group of farmers and landowners in Svarfaðardalur joined forces with the Nature Conservation Council to found the Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve, an area of about 8 km2 of wetland on both banks of the Svarfaðardalsá river, from the sea to Húsabakki. Within the reserve are dry river-banks as well as marshes with sedge bogs, ditches and fertile ponds with reeds. This natural environment provides an excellent habitat for many species of breeding birds. Migratory birds start to arrive in April for the summer breeding season. The Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve was founded to conserve this unique ecosystem and prevent further draining of the area, which could have a negative impact on the birdlife. Vegetation and birdlife are protected within the reserve, where nothing is allowed to disrupt the course of nature.

The mountains of Tröllaskagi (peninsula between Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður) are renowned as one of Iceland´s most spectacular areas for outdoor activities. The Svarfaðardalur valley nestles among the mountains and mountain tracks lead from the valley in all directions: into Þorvaldsdalur and Hörgárdalur, over into Skagafjörður in the west, and north to Ólafsfjörður. Hikers can find suitable walking routes, both for experienced hikers and others.

The reserve is located within the Dalvíkurbyggð district, which was formed in 1998 by the merger of three districts: the town of Dalvík and the rural districts of Svarfaðardalur and Árskógur.

The population of Dalvík is nearly 2.000. The local economy is mostly based upon the fisheries and fish processing, in addition to various industrial and food enterprises, services, commerce and trade. Dalvík harbour is a large fishing and commercial port; the ferry Sæfari, wich sails from Dalvík, serves the island of Grímsey, Iceland's northenmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle.

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

TERMINAL: International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF); domestic airport and bus stop is Egilsstaðir.

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 180 (Euros). Please note that the fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic crowns.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working with outdoors and getting to know ways of living in rural areas in Iceland. 

AGE: 18+