Nature conservation on the edge of the big city

Germany Teenagers Environment Teenagers Environment Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Haus der Wilden Weiden - House of Wild Willows The "House of Wild Willows" is a place of environmental education for day-care centres, schools, families and adult groups. However, the house is not only a place of learning, but the staff are also responsible for the maintenance of the neighbouring nature reserve "Hoeltigbaum". In order to preserve and develop the species and habitat diversity, the largest part of the nature reserve has been managed for more than 20 years according to the "semi-open pasture landscape" method, an extensive year-round grazing with various grazing animals. The care of these cattle, sheep and goats is also the task of the "House of Wild Willows". The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. We give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths. Our principles: Ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Follow us on Instagram ijgd_workcamps Facebook @ijgd.workcamps

💼 What the programme involves

Nature conservation in great surroundings and sightseeing in the big city! - You can experience both at this camp on the outskirts of the metropolis of Hamburg. You will be working in the Höltigbaum nature reserve, a former military training area. A varied mosaic of different habitats has developed on the Höltigbaum during and after the last ice age. The result is a variety of old succession stages consisting of open soils, grasslands, fringing meadows and some woodland with many rare and endangered animal and plant species. Where tanks once travelled, there is now vast savannah-like grassland where flocks of sheep, goats and Galloway cattle graze all year round. Grazing keeps the areas open, prevents scrub encroachment and preserves biodiversity. You support the animal "lawnmowers" in their work and remove plants such as bracken, lupins, ragwort and small birch trees to prepare the ground for the underlying and displaced heathland. This is an important contribution to nature conservation work, as heavy machinery would destroy the sensitive heathland. The work takes place on the pastures in the nature reserve. However, the grazing animals have plenty of space to hide and are rarely visible. However, if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the cattle and sheep at work. In addition to the practical work, you will learn a lot about nature and environmental protection in general and the nature conservation concept of a semi-open pasture landscape in particular from the employees of the House of Wild Pastures (Haus der Wilden Weiden). You will learn a lot about the local flora and fauna, year-round grazing and cattle and sheep farming in the area of landscape conservation. Information (unfortunately only in German) about the Höltigbaum nature reserve and the House of Wild Pastures (Haus der Wilden Weiden) can be found here: www.hoeltigbaum.de

🏠 Accommodation on site

You will stay in two flats next to each other. Both flats have a kitchen, a lounge and sanitary facilities. The flats are located in the centre of Ahrensburg near the train station. You cater for yourselves and cook together. You will be provided with money for shopping. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any intolerances when registering.

📍 About the location

Your work location is in the Hamburg district of Rahlstedt and your accommodation is in the city centre of Ahrensburg. From both locations, you can reach the Hamburg city centre within 30 minutes by public transport (tickets will be provided). So you can stay in Hamburg right after work and explore the many sights and leisure activities. www.hamburg.de (German) / www.hamburg.com (English) Or you can visit Ahrensburg Castle and its park, including a disc golf course, which are both just 1 km from your accommodation. At the weekend, trips to the beaches on the Baltic coast, for example near Lübeck, are well worthwhile

⚠️ Requirements

Fitness and readiness for physically strenuous and monotonous work; it is essential to bring work clothes for rain and cold, but also for sun and heat as well as, and (waterproofed) shoes; you will travel 30 minutes by public transport (tickets will be provided) to the nature reserve;

ℹ️ Additional information

Please note: There is a special Teenage Fee of 150€ for international volunteers who applied under 18 in this camp. You will receive more information after your confirming registration with the specigic infosheet for your project.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.