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COASTAL MEADOW RESTORATION | EST ELF 03 | 2022-08-10 - 2022-08-17 | ENVI, | Age: 17 - 68

 

ProjectEstonian Fund for Nature (ELF) is NGO dedicated to nature conservation. Its mission is to preserve endangered species and their habitats, natural landscapes and natural associations typical of Estonia. ELF has organized yearly nature conservation holidays where volunteers, participants and group managers work together in order to improve the living conditions of a certain species (i.e. natter jack toad, black stork, Baltic dunlin) or maintain semi-natural communities. You can read on http://elfond.ee/en and see photos from volunteering camps of 2021: https://talgud.ee/talgud/galerii/2021 The aim of this very camp is restoration of coastal meadows which are important habitat for the Baltic dunlin and other waders. Islands of West-EstoniaSaaremaa Island is the largest island of Estonia which is famous for its alvars, windmills, The Kaali Meteorite Crater Field, scenic walks on Panga Cliff, and much more. Saaremaa s only town, Kuressaare, houses a well-preserved castle.Muhumaa Island is the 3rd amongst Estonian islands in terms of size. The picturesque village of Koguva, Uugu cliff, and famous black bread of Muhu are some of the highlights of this island.Abruka Island (9,3 km2) has 16 inhabitants and is famous for its scenic and biodiverse broadleaved forest. It is possible to walk through the sea to the island of Vahase from Abruka.Voilaid (2,5 km2) was formerly used for haymaking, and the foundations of old barns are still visible. A herd of horses roams the island from spring to autumn. Take care of your personal belongings, as the horses are notoriously nosy.Coastal meadows are found in flat coastal areas, where they are occasionally flooded. The flora on these landscapes is low in height and requires mowing or grazing to ensure its persistence. A total of 390 plants species have been found on coastal meadows, including several protected species, such as the wild orchids. The most valuable bird species of coastal meadows are waders, especially the Baltic dunlin, ruff, and curlew, to name a few.The baltic dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii) is a subspecies of the dunlin. The population of these birds has decreased immensely in Estonia, partly as a consequence of an increased number of predators which inhabit the bushes and trees in the overgrown meadows. The Baltic dunlin relies on open coastal areas for feeding and breeding.

Work: The work will be removing juniper trees to restore coastal meadows. A typical workday will last for 6 hours. Work equipment and gloves will be provided by ELF. Participants need to bring suitable clothes for work, sleeping bag, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Accomodation and food: The accommodation on Abruka will be in beds in a local guest house. Bedsheets are provided. Showers are available. There are no buildings on the island of Voilaid. Thus, group will stay in an old granary building at Muhumaa. Mattresses are provided, but sleeping bags are required. One evening will be reserved for the traditional Estonian sauna. We will be cooking our own food throughout the camp. The Estonian group leader will compile the menu and buy the groceries.

Location: ABRUKA

Location and Leisure: Itineraries-10.08 morning: arrival to Tallinn Airport. Public bus from Tallinn Coach Station to Virtsu harbor (ca 2h, 12 euro). Pick-up from Virtsu with ELF s minivan at 13:00. Extra cost: ferry tickets from Virtsu to Muhumaa (ca 6 euro for a round-trip). Transport with ELF s minivan through Muhumaa and Saaremaa and on a small boat to Abruka.-11-12.08 Work on Abruka Island.-13.08 Free day Free day to explore the island of Abruka (and Vahase, if you wish)-14.08 Boat trip from Abruka to Saaremaa. Free time to explore Saaremaa. Transport to the next accommodation place at Muhumaa with ELF s minivan.-15-16.08 Work on the island of Voilaid. The transport will be with a tractor through the sea.-17.08 Free time to explore Muhumaa. Drop off to Virtsu harbor. Public transport to Tallinn.NB We recommend you to extend your stay coming at least a day earlier to be able to catch your bus in the morning of 10.08 and leaving a couple of days later to do some sightseeing on your own. Inexpensive hostels and Airbnb can be found all over Estonia, especially in Tallinn and Tartu. Feel free to ask EstYES for support.Leisure timeLeisure time: board games, sauna, swimming, hiking and exploring the local surroundings, etc.

Train/Bus station: Virtsu

Requirements: Special requirementsYou have to bring working clothes, warm clothes as nights can be chilly, wet weather clothing, summer clothes as days may be hot, wellingtons, sleeping bag and pillow, swimwear, towel, insect spray. Necessary tools and cloves provided by ELF.Participation fee You are kindly asked to contribute 140 Euro towards cost of board, lodging, programme, administration and for nature This fee has to be paid by volunteers either by bank transfer before the beginning of the camp or to the host upon arrival to the camp.

Language: eng,eng

Extra Fee: You are kindly asked to contribute 140 Euro towards cost of board, lodging, programme, administration and for nature! This fee has to be paid by volunteers either by bank transfer before the beginning of the camp or to the host upon arrival to the camp.

We recommend you to extend your stay coming at least a day earlier to be able to catch your bus in the morning of 10.08 and leaving a couple of days later to do some sightseeing on your own.