📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Herault department is leading an ambitious and voluntary land policy to protect sensitive natural areas. By acquiring certain plots of land, it allows them to be preserved as part of the compensation measures. This estate welcomes a shepherd and his sheep all year round. It also welcomes discovery classes who wish to learn about ecology and education in the environment and sustainable development. You will be charmed by the estate and the surrounding nature.
This is the eighth consecutive year of partnership with the departmental council de l'Herault.
💼 What the programme involves
Do you want to get involved in a project and feel useful for the protection of nature?
This is a project that takes place on a departmental site where nature lovers like to go for a walk, to find peace and serenity. Some interpretation trails will allow you to become familiar with the flora and fauna. This place is dedicated to welcoming the public, young and old, but also hosts an agropastoral project. Sheep and wild boar will be at your side. You will be offered the opportunity to carry out various landscaping projects to maintain this exceptional site.
You can create wooden games, make benches, build picnic tables and maintain some of the footpaths.
🏠 Accommodation on site
You will be accommodated on the departmental estate. Sleeping in individual tents (bring your own sleeping bag and duvet). A marquee will be set up to accommodate the collective life. There are permanent sanitary facilities on the domain. You will share the various collective tasks and prepare meals together. A budget will be allocated to the staff and you will take part in the shopping and the preparation of the meals, favouring healthy and local products.
Please note that this is an isolated environment in the middle of nature, with no Wi-Fi or washing machine! Make sure to bring enough clothes with you.
📍 About the location
The departmental domaine de Roussieres is located in the Herault region in the village of Viols-en-Laval, north of Montpellier. Located near an exceptional archaeological site (Cambous is the oldest known archaeological site in France), it is also not far from the river and villages with a remarkable historical heritage. You can also discover the village of St Guilhem le Desert on the route of St Jacques de Compostelle, or take advantage of the outdoor activities available near the estate.
ℹ️ Additional information
Remember to bring gloves, clothes and closed shoes for the work. Also remember to bring your sleeping bag, sleeping mattress, swimsuit and towel. There is a possibility of heat waves at this time of year. Bring sunglasses, a cap (or similar) and at least SPF 30 sunscreen. The environment is isolated, for nature lovers! Feel free to bring a musical instrument, an object or a culinary speciality from your country that you would like to share with the other participants!
Foreigners belonging to the European Union must bring with them a personal EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), and everybody must, in any case, bring their insurance certificate. If there are health issues on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
On the last day (31/07), the departure time is usually set in the morning.
