📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The workcamp is organized in cooperation with the local NGO Cmelak - Friends of Nature Society whose activities are focused on the support of a sustainable way of life, practical nature protection, and environmental education. They transform environmentally damaged and abandoned areas into locations that are attractive for both people and nature. In one area of the Jested Mountain Ridge, they create a New Virgin Forest - a location where unnatural spruce tree monoculture is being replaced by seedlings of original trees. In another area, they maintain wetlands. The aim of this workcamp is to help with practical nature protection in several different locations that Cmelak takes care of (both forests and wetlands). Volunteers will learn about the local region and its flora and will spread the idea of volunteering among locals. Cmelak has organized 18 workcamps so far. In this workcamp, you are actively working for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Life on Land (UN SDG15).
💼 What the programme involves
You will have the opportunity to discover different places of Liberec region, working in the valuable areas the hosting organization takes care of. The tasks will consist of 1) work in the forestlands: work in the tree nurseries including preparation and weeding of beds and repairing fences; cutting and collecting grass and branches, collecting garbage, etc. 2) maintenance in the wetlands (cutting grass, cutting reed; removing reed and other plants from water pools, deepening water pools, cutting out wood). Be ready to work manually and outdoors, in wet areas, under all types of weather (rain, wind). Waterproof clothes with long sleeves, long trousers, a raincoat, and rubber boots are necessary. These clothes will protect you against insects and plants.Study part: There are some interactive field excursions planned for volunteers to get to know the locations where they are going to work, to understand why their work is needed and beneficial.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will stay at 2 different places. The first week you will stay at a cottage in Padouchov area- common sleeping in the attic, 1 dry toilet, a bathroom, a common room with a kitchen. The second week you will sleep at the castle Novy Falkenburk- 4 bedrooms, 2 toilets, 2 showers, a kitchen with dining room, small swimming pool. You will sleep on beds or mattresses. Bring your own sleeping bag. You will prepare your meals together as a group and you will bring snacks and lunch to the workplace. Bring a lunchbox with you.
📍 About the location
Jablonne v Podjestedi, Novy Bor and Padouchov - areas of the Jested mountain ridge in the north of Bohemia. The area is known for its surrounding mountains that are easily accessible.Meeting point: Jablonne v Podjestedi. The meeting time is usually in the afternoon. Please note it takes 2,5 hours to get there from Prague. The exact information will be provided in the infosheet.Leisure time: You can go hiking in the beautiful surrounding landscape, visit nearby castles and climb the Jested mountain - the highest peak in the region. The city of Liberec offers many possibilities to enjoy culture, visit the local zoo, botanical garden go-carts, etc. Trips outside Liberec will also be organized, volunteers can visit for example Sloup rock castle, Lemberk castle, you can go caning or hiking to the Jizera Mountains.