Giving nature a hand 2.0
Description: The work camp has the general objective of bringing together young people from different nationalities, cultures and contexts with the common objective of contributing to the increase of biodiversity, to the restoration of degraded ecosystems and the increase of the landscape's fire resilience. The conservation works will take place in an area managed by MONTIS in the interior of Portugal, in Carvalhais, São Pedro do Sul. The area where the tasks will be carried out, is an ecologically degraded and sensitive area. More info about the area can be found at https://montisacn.com/en/managed-properties/baldio-de-carvalhais/.
Type of Work: The volunteering tasks will all be directed or related to ecosystem restoration. The activities include pruning young trees and pruning and management of pine trees and other native species, to accelerate their growth (with pruning shears and other cutting tools); opening and maintenance of access paths for volunteers and visitors; restore riparian vegetation; construction of barriers to water runoff with local materials, to increase infiltration and improve the soil; control of invasive plant species, namely the Acacia dealbata, a non-native tree that occupies and degrades local ecosystems, competing with native species (control is carried out by pulling small trees and ring barking medium and large trees, using a pocketknife); camera trapping: consists of installing and collecting photo
Study Theme: Ecosystem restoration techniques and approaches. Techniques to restore riparian vegetation; improve soil quality and reduce water runoff; accelerate the growth of native trees; control invasive plant species. Learn about the effects and use of prescribed fire for ecosystem restoration. Volunteers will learn to work with camera trapping, and with tools to identify and register fauna and flora. Volunteers will learn about animal species and invasive plant species in workshops dedicated to these themes.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be camping. There is a central facility with showers, and WC for women and man, with all basic hygiene facilities. There is another central facility for socializing, with board and card games, and a small bar/shop. The camping site has internet available, as well as outdoors barbecue and eating tables. There is no kitchen or laundry. MONTIS will provide regular meals, with the possibility of vegetarian by request. These include breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. Lunch will be served on the field as packed lunch.
Requirements: Volunteers should bring their own sleeping bags, confortable clothes and footwear suitable for mountain and nature working, several changes of clothes (there is no laundry), personal hygiene items, flip flops for bathing, reusable water bottle, towel, sunscreen and working hat (sun and heat are expected), leisure items (bathing suit, towel, book, games, etc) and a traditional food or drink.
Approximate Location: The location of the workcamp is in a remote rural area, with almost no population. Volunteers will camp in bioparque de Carvalhais (https://bioparque.org). The closest village is 2 km from the camping. MONTIS will have a van available to support the needed transportation. The intervention area distances from the campsite about 20 minutes walking. The van will be used to transport volunteers when needed, but walking is the main transportation. MONTIS will transport all tools, water and food needed for the volunteering period to the volunteering site.