CONSERVATION WORK WITH ESTONIAN NATURE FUND | EST ELF1 | 2026-07-09 - 2026-07-19 | ENVI | Age: 17 - 88

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 (natterjack toad, black stork) or maintain semi-natural communities. Read more on http://elfond.ee/en and check photos of previous years projects https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/harivesilik , https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/verev-lemmmalts , : https://talgud.ee/talgud/galerii/2025 This year camp has two different tasks - wooded meadow management and restoration of breeding ponds for newts, which have to be accomplished in two different locations. The aim of the first part is protection of wooded meadows in Alam-Pedja nature reserve. Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve was created in 1994 on the lower reaches of the Pedja river, and comprises bogs, and floodplains. You can find some of the most remote areas of Estonia here, with plenty of wildlife. Palupohja Nature School was established in an old farm house in 2001, and has housed ELF s Summer School (a 4-day scythe-festival) since 2017.Wooded meadows rich in flowers and birds have been a characteristic part of Estonian landscapes for centuries. At a time when most of the population lived in the countryside, pastures were needed to graze the animals and meadows to obtain winter fodder. Wooded meadows are areas with regularly mowed natural herbs and sparse trees and shrubs, where the sunniest open areas alternate with individually growing trees and more shady groups of trees. It is these diverse conditions that help woodlands to maintain an exceptional species richness. Source: https://keskkonnaamet.ee/en/project-woodmeadowlife The aim of the second part is restoring the habitat of endangered amphibian the northern crested newt which takes place in Haanja.Haanja National Park is the hilliest part of an otherwise low country. It s locally known for some distinct cultural heritage: smoke saunas and Voru dialect. Haanja hills create a highly diverse landscape with small size fields, hay meadows, forests, and wetlands, which is a perfect habitat for many cultural landscape species that have been lost in intensive farming areas.The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) is a rare dark lizard-like threatened amphibian species in Estonia, occurring mainly in the southern part of the country. One of the main reasons for the decrease in the crested newt numbers is the lack of small water bodies suitable for breeding. Volunteers will clear the ponds of brushwood and vegetation, which helps to ensure the survival and increase of existing populations. Here are photos from previous camps in Haanja https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/harivesilik NB The first days of the camp,

Work: Work In Palupohja Nature School at Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve there will be management of a wooded meadow. We will be mowing the hay with a scythe (July 10-11) and removing the hay with rakes and pitchforks (July 17-18). No previous experience with a scythe is needed, as there will be tutoring on the spotThe work at Haanja will be removing vegetation (bulrushes, reed) from the breeding ponds of the great crested newts. You will get to go into the ponds while wearing wadersA typical workday will last for 6 hours. Work equipment and gloves will be provided by ELF.

Accomodation and food: AccommodationPalupohja Nature School at Alam-Pedja Nature reserve (July 9-12, and 16-19): immensely simple and basic amenities. The 2 floor has a hall with mattresses for the group to sleep (bring Your own sleeping bag). There is no shower or toilet with running water, just an outhouse in the garden and a small sauna, where you have to soap yourself up and rinse by pouring buckets of water on yourself. A swimmable river flows next to the school. Some locals are sleeping in the house as well, but the majority of 50 volunteers, who will be joining on July 9-12, will set up tents in the garden. Palupohja Nature School Facebook page with pictures: https://www.facebook.com/PalupohjaLooduskool Suurepera at Haanja Nature Park (July 12-16): 3-4 beds per room, bedlinens are available on site. Showers, kitchen, sauna. See pictures: https://suureperapuhkekeskus.ee/galerii We will be cooking our own food on July 12-19, taking turns. The Estonian group leader will compile the menu and buy the groceries.

Location: PALUPOHJA

Location and Leisure: ItinerariesJuly 9-Around noon: arrival to Tallinn Airport. Public transport (bus) from the airport to Tartu (ca 2.5 h and 14 euros). Pick-up from Tartu and transfer to Palupohja Nature School with ELF s minivan (ca 45 min).July 10-11-Work in Palupohja Nature Scool: mowing hay in a wooded meadow with a scythe. Work starts early (ca 6 AM), because there has to be dew on the hayJuly 12-Wrap up at Palupohja and transport to Haanja (ca 2.5 h). There will be a stop in Tartu to change equipment.July 13 and 15-Work in Haanja: removing vegetation from the breeding ponds of amphibians.July 14-Free day to explore the region of Haanja.July 16-Wrap up at Haanja and transport to Palupohja (ca 2.5 h). There will be a stop in Tartu to change equipment.July 17-18-Work in Palupohja Nature Scool: removing the previously mowed hay with rakes and pitchforks.July 19-Wrap up at Palupohja and drop-off to Tartu coach station. Public transport (bus) from Tartu to Tallinn Airport in the afternoon.Leisure timeGames, sauna, swimming, hiking and exploring the local surroundings, etc.

Airport: TLL

Train/Bus station: Tartu

Requirements: Special requirementsYou have to bring suitable clothing (long sleeves and pants to prevent scratches), a hat, closed footwear (sneakers or hiking boots) for work, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, personal hygiene supplies, a towel, swim wear. Necessary tools and cloves provided by ELF.NB It is important to arrive on 9.07 to Tallinn before noon Your departure should be scheduled to the evening of 19.07 or later. If you need to arrive one day earlier in order to make it or stay longer, we can help you booking inexpensive accommodation in Tallinn.What to (not) expectDo expect-ca 50 local volunteers joining on July 9-12.-only vegan food on July 9-12.-physical work and plenty of fresh air.-self-catering: preparing your own meals on July 12-19.-cleaning after yourself: sweeping the floors and taking out the trash in accommodation sites.-basic amenities at Palupohja Nature School.-hectic weather conditions: sunshine, rain, wind, warm and cold days.-many blood-sucking insects: mosquitos, horse flies, ticks. The latter may give you Lyme disease or encephalitis.Do not expect-to have everything exactly like at home and the way that you are used to.-to have luxurious private rooms or room service.-to have everything handed out for you.-restaurant meals.-to always have WIFI and mobile reception.-a fixed time schedule: everything may change according to the weather.Participation fee You are kindly asked to contribute 225 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.

Tartu bus station on arrival day in the afternoon

Language: eng,eng

Extra Fee: 225 EUR