Nature conservation on the edge of the big city II | ijgd 16020 | 2026-09-19 - 2026-10-03 | ENVI | Age: 18 - 26

Gesellschaft für ökologische Planung e.V. (GÖP) - Society for Ecological Planning Elbe-Tideauenzentrum - Elbe Tidal Floodplain Centre The Society for Ecological Planning e.V. (GÖP) is a non-profit nature conservation association. It looks after 14 of Hamburg s 37 nature reserves and runs the Elbe Tidal Floodplain Centre, an important extracurricular educational institution dedicated to the freshwater tidal floodplains, which are unique in Europe. With mostly self-built exhibits on local nature, flora and fauna, the exhibition provides insights into these special features and motivates visitors to try things out and experience them. The staff of the Elbe Tidal Floodplain Centre carry out nature conservation measures in the 14 nature reserves. The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. We give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths. Our principles: Ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Follow us on Instagram ijgd_workcamps Facebook @ijgd.workcamps

Work: Landscape conservation and nature protection in beautiful surroundings and sightseeing in the big city! You can experience both at this camp on the outskirts of Hamburg. Under the guidance of staff from the Elbe-Tideauenzentrum, you will mainly work in the Boberger Niederung and Borghorster Elblandschaft nature reserves, as well as in other areas such as the Obere Tideelbe floodplain, Allermöher Wiesen, Horster Moor and Heuckenlock. The Boberger Niederung nature reserve is exceptionally diverse: sand dunes and heathland, moors, marsh meadows, water bodies and near-natural forests come together on 464 hectares. Around 650 plant species grow here, including many highly endangered or rare species, such as the broad-leaved marsh orchid (a type of orchid). Endangered animal species such as the blue-winged grasshopper, the grass snake and the snipe also have their habitat here. A special feature of the area is the inland dune, which is considered one of the most endangered biotope types in Germany. Regular maintenance measures are necessary to preserve the open structure and biodiversity of these sensitive habitats. This is where your practical work comes in: you will help mow orchid meadows, remove emerging shrubs such as hawthorn in selected areas (‘clearing’) and take part in litter collection campaigns. You will also be active in the Borghorster Elblandschaft nature reserve, where you will be removing scrub and ringing invasive black cherry trees. This involves peeling the bark from the trunk to interrupt the transport of nutrients in the tree, preventing the species from spreading further. In one area, you will also remove Japanese knotweed to curb the spread of this highly invasive neophyte. The approximately 225-hectare area is characterised by a varied floodplain landscape and provides a habitat for numerous animal species, including beavers, orioles and ant lions. During a trip to the Elbe Tidal Floodplain Centre in Hamburg-Moorwerder, you will get an insight into the exhibition and a guided tour of the adjacent Heuckenlock nature reserve – a unique freshwater floodplain with around 100 hectares of riparian forest in the south of the Elbe island of Wilhelmsburg, where white-tailed eagles breed, among other species. You will probably also help with work in the garden or on the outdoor area of the Elbe Tidal Centre. In addition to the practical work, you will learn a lot about nature and environmental protection in general as well as the nature and habitat in these special nature reserves from employees of the Elbe Tidal Floodplain Centre. You will learn a lot about the local flora and fauna as well as the special need for protection of animals and plants on the Red List: Information (unfortunately only in German) about the Boberger Niederung and Borghorster Elblandschaft nature reserves and the Elbe tidal floodplain centre can be found here: https://www.goep.hamburg/boberg/ https://www.goep.hamburg/borghorst/ https://www.goep.hamburg/umweltbildung/elbe-tideauenzentrum.php

Accomodation and food: You will stay at Haus Warwisch, a quiet and idyllic self-catering house on the outskirts of Hamburg directly on the Elbe. It offers space for two groups. In your living area there is a 7-bed room, a 6-bed room and a 2-bed room. There is also a kitchen, a dining room and lounge as well as a shower and toilet for men and women. A campfire and barbecue area as well as a football pitch and basketball hoop are available in the outdoor area 70 metres away. You cater for yourselves and cook together. You will be provided with money for shopping. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any intolerances when registering.

Location: HamburgBergedorf

Location and Leisure: In your free time, you can enjoy your quiet accommodation and the beautiful surroundings by taking part in sports and spending evenings together around the campfire. You can also go on excursions to Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, where a wide range of leisure activities await you. www.hamburg.de (German) / www.hamburg.com (English) At the weekend, trips to the beaches on the North and Baltic coast are well worthwhile.

Airport: HAM

Train/Bus station: Hamburg-Hauptbahnhof (main train station) – Ahrensburg Bahnhof (train station) We would like to invite you to travel as environmentally friendly as possible. If you have the option to go by train, bus, carsharing or bicycle that can be a great first step for you to become a climate steward.

Requirements: Fitness and readiness for physically strenuous and monotonous work; Be sure to bring robust work clothing for rain and cold, but also for sun and heat as well as, and (waterproofed) shoes; you will travel 15 to 45 minutes by public transport (tickets will be provided) to the nature reserves;

Meeting point and time: at accommodation until 7:15pm on 19/09/2026 From Hamburg airport take S-Bahn S1 (direction Wedel or Hamburg-Blankenese) to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Hamburg main train station, about 25 min travel time). The S1 is running every 10min. From Hamburg main station / Hamburg ZOB At Hauptbahnhof (main train station) / ZOB you can take the bus Bus 124 or 224 to Bahnhof Bergedorf and leave the bus at station Kirchwerder Schulweg (travel time 43mins). From the bus stop, walk 20 metres in the direction of travel and then turn right into Kirchwerder Schulweg. Follow this road for approx. 400 metres to the end until you reach Wrauster Bogen. Turn right and the first house on the right is your accommodation. More Information about train and bus connections: www.bahn.com

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 0

Fitness and readiness for physically strenuous and monotonous work; Be sure to bring robust work clothing for rain and cold, but also for sun and heat as well as, and (waterproofed) shoes; you will travel 15 to 45 minutes by public transport (tickets will be provided) to the nature reserves;