📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
-
💼 What the programme involves
This is a unique, demanding and rewarding opportunity for volunteers to gain new skills and ecological perspectives through working and living closely to the land. This project is organised with our host, Wildfjords Restoration located in the Westfjords of Iceland. The main project activity is restoration of cairns in an area in the south of the Westfjords. Cairns are piles of carefully constructed rock that have historically been used to help people find their way in difficult weather conditions on mountainous walking routes. The cairns to be restored are situated in high and harsh land. A trained wilderness guide and another leader will be working with the group to ensure quality of craftsmanship and to ensure everyone s safety.Running alongside the cairn restoration activities will be a programme of creative-led discussions and activities, designed to create a space to help you experience a connection to the earth and sea, allow you to relax and be present, connect back to your natural rhythms, and find inspiration and insight. The approach draws on storytelling, outdoor education, experiential learning, eco-psychology and traditional healing systems.
🏠 Accommodation on site
SEEDS participants will predominantly be camping near Latrabjarg in the Westfjords. Other wild camping sites may also be used, meaning you may be away from modern amenities for a number of days. Food will be supplied for volunteers and they will help cook and clean in camp and be in charge of cooking when staying at the hostel. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.
📍 About the location
The project is situated in the Westfjords of Iceland, which is a distinct region that very few travellers to Iceland visit. The landscape is a mixture of sea-cliffs, huge beaches, many rivers, vegetated valleys, snowy/rocky mountains and moss-covered hill sides. Camping and accommodation is situated in remote locations. The nature in the area is untouched and almost uninhabited. The cliffs and valleys are packed with birds, the uninhabited fjords offer a moment of silence and tranquillity, and the Arctic fox proudly roams the mountains and inlets. The waterfalls are high and the streams pure.
⚠️ Requirements
The participation fee is EUR 250 (Euros). Please note that this fee is to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic kronas. Volunteers need to be prepared for physical and demanding work, working and camping in a wild landscape and sometimes cold weather. Bring warm winter clothes as the project takes place outside and the weather can be very cold. You will need to bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking boots, a good sleeping bag, sleeping mat and gloves. Tents will be provided.