Description

A rural Italian idyll, Alpago is a small friendly community at the foot of the Dolomites, set in some of Europe's finest scenery.

Working with local people, on locally conceived projects, this holiday takes us to the heart of this community, and you'll feel it from the first enthusiastic welcome to the last sad farewell.

Who we're working with
A real community group - a group from the community!

Local people interested in conserving and enhancing the traditional and natural features of the Alpago area. This means we'll meet a whole range of people and gain an insight into the area in a way no other visitors could.

BTCV has worked with the Alpago community since 2004 during which time the relationship has evolved. This project is a part of the annual calender of community events!

Where we're working
Beyond Venice, in the foothills of the Dolomites, the Veneto region conceals many secrets. Huge beech woods dominate the plateau of the Cansiglio area, first managed centuries ago to provide oars for the Venetian Republic. Belluno, the 'Shining City' nestles amongst picturesque mountains. Scattered villages blend into the countryside of Alpago. Hawks and eagles soar above and marmots, chamois and red deer populate the alpine meadows and valleys below.

The region boasts lands stretching from the mountains to the sea, with unique natural and architectural features famous worldwide for their beauty. It is the ceaseless work of nature, both powerful and delicate that the lands have to thank. From the same waters that even today bathe the coasts of the Veneto, hundreds of millions of years ago great forces lifted the huge layers of deposits and coral reefs from the sea bed up to the sky. Thus today we can walk through the majestic pinnacles clothed in dense forests of conifers and broadleaf.

What we'll be doing
Since starting to work with the Alpago community in 2004 we've been implementing a programme of landscape feature restoration - traditional trails, stone constructions - improving access to these historic features for visitors and promoting the use of traditional skills.

This year we'll mainly be focusing our efforts on the restoration of a set of historical foot trails and possibly starting on the restoration of traditional dry-stone walls - this is subject to local priorities and will be confirmed nearer the time.

Our projects in the past have generated a lot of local interest and volunteers and local students are very keen to join us. There's always an atmosphere of fun as we work together sharing languages, lunches and loppers.

Benefits of our work
Improving the area for visitors has a direct benefit on the local economy in this rural area. Improving facilities around and associated with the Natural History Museum is creating great educational benefits for local children. As well as the enhancing the landscape through the physical work, our very presence injects a new vitality into the area reflected in the enthusiastic welcome from the whole community, and the interest generated amongst younger people.

Where we'll be staying
A beautifully converted former nursery school with double/triple bedrooms, bathrooms and cooking facilities.

Nearby facilities include: small shops in the village, 500 metres down the hill, bars and pizzeria. The wildflower meadows at stunning at this time and various wild animals (marmots, deer etc.) and birds (hawks, eagles etc.) an be found in the nearby countryside.

Highlights

We'll have three free days with optional excursions, visiting places of natural historic interest (Venice, Belluno, Cansiglio forest and Dolomites) Illustrated talks on local features, access to the natural history museum and a visit to a local lake. Nearby Chies d'Alpago offers small shops, bars and pizzeria.

We've always had lots of fun joing in with the local festival and what happens from there is never predictable!

Local geography creates perfect thermals for hang-gliding and sky-diving - a superb spectacle and you can even give it a try! (although not included in the price of this holiday)

Qualifications

You must be over 18. No previous experience necessary

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

440 GBP

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Eco-tourism
• Trail Building
• Volunteering

Age Range

18-80

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

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