Description

Living and working in the heart of Iceland's stunning Vatnajýkull National Park you'll amaze yourself with your own achievements. BTCV's holidays in Iceland are the ultimate adventurous conservation experience!

Who we're working with
Iceland Conservation Holidays are run in partnership with the Icelandic Environment Agency , Umhverfisstofnun (UST). The Agency established the Iceland Conservation Volunteer (ICV) programme to assist with all aspects practical nature conservation. Iceland Conservation Holidays are managed by ICVs own team of local staff and international volunteer leaders.

For 30 years, BTCV volunteers have played an important role in this work. Volunteer teams work closely with local staff on a variety of practical management tasks, focussing on trail building and wilderness management projects. We stay in tents and live and work in these amazing areas throughout the summer months. The countrys harsh natural environment and unpredictable weather make BTCVs projects in Iceland both an adventure and a challenge.

Where we're working
Skaftafell Vatnajýkull National Park in southeast Iceland has been described as a green oasis surrounded by a landscape of snow-capped mountains, glaciers and vast black sand plains. This amazing scenery makes it one of the most beautiful and most visited places in the country. Skaftafell is part of the recently established Vatnajýkull National Park, which is the largest National Park in Europe.

What we'll be doing
This summer we will be working a variety of practical nature conservation tasks in the national park, helping to maintain Skaftafell's network of hiking trails. Our work will include building stone drains, resurfacing mountain paths with gravel carefully sourced nearby and the construction of timber bridges and boardwalks. We'll also be taking part in removing invasive plants and completing GPS surveys in the parks wilderness areas.

No previous experience of this work is necessary as training will be provided by experienced leaders.

The working day normally runs from 9 to 5 with breaks for lunch and coffee. However, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the nature of Icelands changeable weather.

Benefits of our work
Now one of the coolest holiday destinations in Europe, Iceland is receiving ever increasing numbers of visitors. As tourism grows, the pressure on Icelands fragile natural ecology increases. The challenge is to protect both vegetation and geological formations from damage and this is done through the construction and maintenance of hiking trail networks.
Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve safety for visitors.

Where we'll be staying
In Skaftafell, we will be staying at the volunteer base-camp alongside other ICV volunteers working in the park. At the base-camp we have a fully equipped hut where we prepare meals and relax in the evenings. The campsite has hot showers, laundry facilities and a small gift shop.

You'll need a sturdy tent but if you would like to hire one from BTCV please contact the Customer Services Team: International@btcv.org.uk or +44 (0)1302 388 883

Highlights

Throughout the project there will be plenty of opportunities to explore Skaftafell and the surrounding area.

Beyond the work project and in your time-off, the National Park visitor centre is located at the campsite and local companies organise guided trips including ice climbing and expeditions onto the glaciers. All of these can be easily arranged at the time depending on your preference.

Don't take it from us...Hannah was in Iceland in 2008:

"Iceland is a beautiful country, best due to all the natural phenomena there, so working to help maintain the landscape was always going to be a rewarding task.

The network of volunteers there is amazing though, we got to meet up with long term volunteers as well as working on our own projects, which taught us loads about the whole country.

The work was tough, and my first day with a spade was a challenge but we soon got the hang of it, and our leader really helped us out. The sense of achievement when we finished our first project and people walked along our path was amazing. We were always surrounded with beautiful scenery and so our tea and biscuit breaks were even more welcome.

The campsite had brilliant facilities as well, and it was great to be able to get a nice hot shower after getting covered in earth all day. The evenings were great too, the group really bonded and we had great food, dont worry about having to bring a stash unless you have anything specific you cant live without.

Overall it was a brilliant trip and Id really recommend Iceland not only because its a beautiful place but because of the volunteer organisation of UST, which really helped throughout. Id also really recommend using BTCV, who answered all my questions in the run up to the holiday, and made sure that everything was to an excellent standard."

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

345 GBP

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Environment
• Trail Building

Age Range

18-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

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