Bjarnarfjörður in the West fjords

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in this project in the West Fjords. The project takes place in a small fjord, called Bjarnarfjörður and volunteers will be working in the surrounding area.

The main work tasks will be to re-vegetate eroded soils, fertilize small trees and maintain walking paths. For the first 3-4 days volunteers will carry bags of fertilizers up some hills and spread the fertilizer on the land. The next 3-4 days volunteers will fertilize small trees. The rest of the days volunteers will mark some walking paths and in some cases place gravel on them in order to maintain them.

Volunteers will get good guidance from the hosts on how to come around those tasks. The nature in the area is quite diverse and in a few places there are swamps that have to be crossed.

The tasks can get rather physically demanding and require a good physical condition.

Weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable, so be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local house. Volunteers will either sleep on mattresses or in beds. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The house is equipped with a kitchen. Volunteers will share the duties of preparing food, cooking meals and cleaning. There is no shower in the local house, but volunteers will have access to showers in the local swimming pool.

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

LOCATION: The closest town to Bjarnarfjörður (Bear fjord) is Drangsnes which is about 20 Km away. It is part of the Kaldrananeshreppur municipality and has barely 100 inhabitants. It got its name from a tall rock named Kerling of what is said that it is one of three troll women who tried to separate the West Fjords from the rest of Iceland.

The area around Drangsnes is a haven for bird-lovers, especially in early summer; this area offers easy hiking treks for everyone in summer and winter alike.

Bjarnarfjörður belongs to the region Strandir (literally: the costs). For centuries Strandir was one of the most remote areas in Iceland. It was known for the inhabitants’ knowledge of magic and as a refuge for criminals. The landscape of Strandir is far from uniform, the low hills of Hrútafjörður in the south gradually change to 700 m high mountains rising straight from the coast in the northern part. The population in the Strandir region is only litle under 800. The town Hólmavík and Drangsnes village are the most populated areas.

The weather conditions are rather wet and cold and sometimes pack ice from Greenland fills the fiords, but there are lovely days in-between. Thermal activity can be found in several places. There is quite some number of rivers, rivulets and small lakes in the area.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

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

SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back. Apart from being cheap and convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 60 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic kronas.

Our hosting partner will organise some free time activities for SEEDS volunteers, for instance a day trip and excursions in the area.

Age: 18+