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Title

Iceland Wilderness Management Volunteer Project
Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Iceland - Europe
Town/City Þórsmörk
Salary Additional Information Voluntary
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Full Time
Level Voluntary & Interns
Deadline 31/08/2014
Company Name WorkingAbroad Projects
Contact Name Vicky McNeil
Telephone 01273 479 047
Email victoria.mcneil@workingabroad.com
Website Further Details / Applications
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Description

Join our teams to restore and preserve the Þórsmörk Wilderness area in Iceland - a forested glacial valley in the south of Iceland, and one of the most beautiful areas in the country.  You can join for 2 weeks up to 8 weeks from June to August each year.

Individuals, groups, students all welcome.

The Project

The Þórsmörk nature protection area is managed by Iceland’s Forestry Agency and international volunteers have played a very important part in the management of the areas hiking trails since 2006. Despite its remoteness, Þórsmörk is a very popular hiking area due to its spectacular landscape of birch forests and glaciers.  This is a very special area in the south of the country and is ideally suited for those interested to work in a remote, wilderness setting.

You will be working in teams of up to 5 volunteers with qualified and experienced team leaders carrying out a variety of wilderness management projects.

Work will focus on the trail network around Básar and the Fimmvörðuháls mountain trail which is close to areas of fresh lava from the 2009 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Trails in this area have suffered from severe erosion and this summer the project will include several new repair techniques that are currently being tested. The work is organised by Iceland’s Environment Agency (Umhverfisstofnun) in partnership with the country’s forestry service (Skógrækt ríkisins) who manage the area.

Our work will include:

  • resurfacing the trails
  • placing way-markers
  • improving drainage
  • bridge building
  • step construction

In upland areas in Þórsmörk, both stone and timber are used for trail repairs. These are gathered from close to the work sites and as they are moved by hand the work can be quite physically demanding.  

Well marked trails help to protect fragile areas from the affects of trampling by encouraging hikers to keep to the paths. Good trails also improve safety for visitors to the area. Other tasks may include:

  • the removal of invasive plant species, and
  • GPS trail mapping

Teams will work closely with local staff in the area and our teams now play a very important role in the practical management of the Þórsmörk area.

No previous experience of this work is necessary as training will be provided by experienced leaders. The working day normally runs from 09:00 – 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee. However, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the nature of Iceland’s changeable weather. Many of our worksites are in the mountains which can mean up to 2 hours walking each day. Please note that facilities in Þórsmörk are basic. All volunteers need to bring a sturdy tent and warm clothes (or you can rent a tent when you arrive).

Work in recent years has also focused on the Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk trail where a variety of projects have been organised to help maintain the busy footpath. In most years the trail is in use from July to September although early in the season there is a possibility of snow in the area.

Food, Lodging, Travel, Weather

Food and accommodation
The conditions will be quite tough! You will be living at a base camp at Básar in Þórsmörk where you will be staying and eating - facilities are basic. You will need a tent that is sturdy and can withstand strong winds! Simple cooking facilities will be provided at the base camp, as well as your food supply. So you will cook as a group and live in your individual tents. The base camp has the following facilities: a cooking tent, hot showers, toilets etc. A list of personal items to bring will be given to you with your final package if you are accepted on the project. If you wish to rent a tent, this is possible and the extra cost is 40 GBP - please email Vicky McNeil if interested and this will be provided when you arrive.

Transport
The meeting point for the commencement of the programme is on the starting dates: 16th June, 30th June, 14th July and 28th July at 17.00h at the Básar campsite. Buses from Reykjavik's BSÍ Coach Station run daily to Básar in Þórsmörk during the summer and the journey takes approximately 4 hours, the cost is around 70 GBP for a return ticket. It is recommended that you fly into Reykjavik the day before your starting date where you can spend the night at the Youth Hostel (cheapest in Reykjavik) and catch the bus in the morning, please note the bus only runs once a day (leaving around 08:00). Flights to and from Iceland are usually with Icelandair, however, for those volunteers coming from England and Denmark, a budget airline called Iceland Express has daily flights from London Stansted and Copenhagen (Iceland Express) Please note, you are responsible for all of your bus and airline costs to and from the meeting point. From mainland Europe there is also the possibility to take a Ferry, passing the Faroe Islands.

Type of volunteers needed
You should be between 18 to 50 years old, fit, healthy and capable of carrying out work in all conditions in a cold and wet climate. In addition, you need to be prepared to do a lot of walking and hiking on uneven ground every day, and to be comfortable living in rustic conditions and camping in a tent for two weeks. The area of Þórsmörk is rugged wilderness, so it is important that you have already had some exposure to this type of terrain. This is not the programme for you if you find it difficult to be out in remote areas and cannot hike at least 2 hours every day on uneven terrain, or have no previous wilderness and camping experience.   No specific skills are needed, but those with previous experience of manual conservation work, trail work, botany, terrestrial monitoring etc. would be particularly useful, as well as those who are self-motivated, as you will get more out of the project if you are. The project will especially appeal to those with an interest in conservation, restoration, wilderness and low impact camping. Anyone with additional skills is especially welcome!

Health, weather, facilities
The gulf stream and the south-westerly winds from the Atlantic give Iceland a mild temperature. However, the unfortunate side is that this warm air creates condensation which in turn brings lots of rain! Summers in Iceland can be very erratic - be prepared for mostly rainy, damp conditions, with occasional sunny spells. In July, one fine day is the norm! But the next day can be worse with very strong wind driven rain and thick fog! Temperatures in the summer average about 10 degrees celsius, but remember that it will be mostly light whilst you are there due to the midnight sun phenomenon. If the sun does come out, the beauty is breathtaking!
 

Additional details

For more information regarding this opportunity, please visit the main project page here, or contact Vicky McNeil here. The application form can be found here, though it is advised that applicants express interest before applying, in order to discuss personal situations.
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