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Nature Across Borders 

Camp code:

AT-SCI 10.2

Country:

Austria

Start Date:

04 Sep 2022

End Date:

18 Sep 2022

Topic:

10: Environment protection

Work Types:

Environment

Number of volunteers:

15

International age:

18 - 65

National age:

18 - 65

Required Language:

English

Motivation letter:

This camp requires an additional motivation letter to explain in more detail why you would like to attend.

Description: You are interested in nature conservation and you are passionate about being outside in nature? You like working as a team and get to know new people with a similar lifestyle? We are looking for motivated volunteers, which help us doing nature conservation work in both national parks. The local partners, National Parks Thayatal and Podyjí oversee the protection and ecological development of their respective regions, with their particular biodiversity. Some areas in Thayatal and Podyjí need ongoing management to form sustainable habitats for rare species. Meadows and diverse dry grassland areas, need to be taken care of to preserve them and their ecosystem functions.

Type of Work: We will remove invasive plants to prevent irreversible anthropogenic effects on the ecosystem. Secondly, we will mow or rake dry grassland areas and selectively remove bushes and small trees to prevent the forest from overgrowing these species-rich open habitats. We will also have time to get to know each other and enjoy the early autumn in Austria and the Czech Republic.

Study Theme: You will gather knowledge of local habitats with their flora and fauna as well as their mandatory management, including the challenges faced. Furthermore, you will gain hands-on experience in maintaining dry grasslands and managing invasive species.

Accommodation: At Thayatal National Park you will be staying in the Wildcat Camp. The facility is equipped with bedrooms for up to 6 persons with bathrooms, a common room and kitchen. During time in Podyjí National Park, you will stay in Havraníky in an old school. The building belongs to the National Park and is equipped with two dormitories up to 12 persons, a bathroom, a common room and a kitchen.

Requirements: We will work 4-5 days a week for six hours a day with breaks in between. The work will be physical and in steep terrain. Therefore, some basic fitness as well as solid ankle-high hiking boots are required. Be prepared for hot or rainy weather, penetrating the bushes or water wading. PLEASE make sure that you are healthy enough to participate. 

Approximate Location: The conservation area of Thayatal and Podyjí National Park covers part of the Thaya Valley river landscape. While cutting through the Bohemian Massif the river Thaya created an enormously diverse landscape along the river. Mainly the area consists of diverse forest but there are also meadows, dry grasslands and, as the name suggests, aquatic habitats like the river Thaya or Fugnitz and some other trickels.

Notes: Please send us a short CV and a motivation letter where you let us know the reason why you want to take part at the camp. Board and lodging are for free. The number of participants is limited so please apply quickly. Deadline: 31. Mai 2022; In 2022 many SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover - local hosting costs; insurance costs of the volunteer; a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects; administration costs of SCI International. If you apply through an SCI branch the fee will be included in the fee you pay to your sending branch. If you apply through a partner organisation you will pay the fee on arrival at the project; direct to the hosting branch or through different payment platforms. 

Organization Description: SCI Austria is the Austrian branch of Service Civil International, founded in 1947 and based in Vienna. We are mainly volunteers who have been on international workcamps ourselves and who want to organize meaningful and critical projects in our country as well.