📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Herault county is undertaking an ambitious and voluntary land policy to protect sensitive natural areas. By acquiring certain plots of land, it enables 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 environment and sustainable development education. You will be charmed by the estate and the surrounding nature.
This is the sixth consecutive year of partnership with the county council of the Herault, and the first year on this site.
💼 What the programme involves
Do you want to get involved and feel useful for the protection of nature?
This is a project that takes place on a departmental site where nature lovers enjoy going 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. It is also dedicated to an agro pastoralism 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 will also be able to put up old dry-stone walls, build picnic tables or clear bushes off the paths to fight against the risk of fire.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation will be located on the departmental domain. Sleeping in individual tents (bring your own sleeping bag and floor mat). 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 leaders and you will take part in the shopping and the preparation of the meals, prioritizing healthy and local products.
Please note that this is an isolated environment in the middle of nature, with no Wi-Fi or washing machine!
📍 About the location
The Domaine Departemental 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 Santiago de Compostela, or enjoy the outdoor activities available near the estate.
⚠️ Requirements
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 health issues on the project, volunteers will have to pay for it, and then be reimbursed once back in their home country.
ℹ️ Additional information
Remember to bring gloves, clothes and closed shoes for the work. Also remember to bring your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, swim suit and towel. There is a possibility of heat waves at this time of year, we ask participants to take with them a hat or cap and sunscreen to protect from the sun. 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!