Description

Join us in the enchanted woods of Harz National Park a surviving area of wilderness forest, steeped in mystery and tradition, and home to an unholy alliance of witches and naked sledgers.

This is a conservation holiday for those who love woods, wilderness and mountains and want to explore a side of Europe so often overlooked.

Who we're working with
Were working with local rangers in the Harz National Park, founded in 2006 from the merging of two state parks in Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) and Sachsen-Anhalt. The park authority is responsible for a huge 24,700 hectares of almost completely undisturbed and uninhabited wooded wilderness.

Harz National Park monitors this environment through its own research and work. Additionally it acts where human impact has in the past interfered with natural processes, through regeneration and conservation projects such as the restoration of dried out bogs, restoration of mountain streams and projects within the forest itself. Harz hosts the only reintroduction of the Lynx within a German national park. A further focus of the work within the national park is to make accessible to the public the true beauty of uncontrolled, wild nature. The park runs a programme of over 2,500 guided tours throughout the year.

Where we're working
The Harz National Park stretches from the low mountain range near Herzberg in the southern part of the mountains, across the Harz massif to its northern slopes near Bad Harzburg and Ilsenburg. It offers the entire range of characteristic ecological systems, variations in height, slopes and rocks. Height varies from 240m to 1,141m on the legendary and mysterious Brocken peak. The park offers an ecologically complex landscape and a range of different vegetation zones.

The Harz National Park is virtually uninhabited, but does contain some hamlets. Nearly all the land within the park is forested and belongs to the federal states.

Based in foothills near Bad Harzburg well be traveling out to a variety of locations within the park and will have the opportunity to really get a real feel for the majesty and beauty of the place.

What we'll be doing
Much of the practical work carried out in the park relates to either restoration of natural habitats and maintenance of traditionally managed habitats, or visitor management to ensure people can enjoy appreciate and learn from nature whilst having the minimum negative impact on it.

This means well be getting stuck into a variety of activities from traditional meadow mowing and hay-making to building and repairing footpaths, bridges, signs and fences. Everything we do will be part of the parks work plan and the final priorities will be determined nearer time. Expect variety!

Benefits of our work
Harz National Park represents an increasingly rare area of true wilderness remaining in Europe. Its value for wildlife, society and individuals is immeasurable and we all have a responsibility to preserve and protect it and areas like it.

Our work is directly contributing to the maintenance and management of this important area ensuring that its true qualities can be recognised, appreciated and valued in a way that guarantees its continued survival. The park has been working hard to develop its own volunteering networks and activities, and were delighted to be playing a part in that too.

Where we'll be staying
The Jugendwaldheim Brunnenbachsmühle a huge and comfortable outdoor centre near Braunlage at the Northern end of the park. Accommodation is in shared rooms, theres a comfy sitting room with entertainment for quiet nights in and access from the door straight out onto one of the best trail networks you could dream of. To set us up for the day a continental breakfast and packed lunch will be prepared for us, with dinner self-catered as a group.

Braunlage, a short walk from the centre is a buzzing natural spa centre with a good selection of shops, cafes and museums, that even hosts an annual witches festival and since 2009, the World Nude Sledging Championship.

Highlights

This project is a dream for lovers of the wild and walking. With a couple of days off during the project theres plenty of time to make the best of the parks fantastic trail network easily the best way to get to know the wilderness. The Park staff have offered us full day or half day guided walks through the national park and visits to Park´s visitor centres to find out more about this beautiful and fascinating area.

Qualifications

You must be over 18. No previous experience necessary.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

390 GBP

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Eco-tourism
• Environment
• Volunteering

Age Range

18-80

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

n/a

BTCV's Mission Statement

A better environment where people are valued, included and involved. Mission: To create a more sustainable future by inspiring people and improving places. Values: BTCV's values are integral to all our work. They have been developed through four decades of a 'hands-on' approach to conservation activities. During this time we have adapted to meet the changing needs of communities, we care about people, the communities in which they live and the quality of their environment.

Year Founded

1959