SEEDS 052. BOTANICAL GARDENS IN REYKJAVÍK (4/4)

Name: SEEDS 052. BOTANICAL GARDENS IN REYKJAVÍK (4/4)
Start: 2019-07-14
End: 2022-05-21
Location: Reykjavík, Iceland

Code: 71969 Copied

Iceland Environment Manual work Farming Culture Environment Manual work +2 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

This is the twelfth year in a row SEEDS offers projects in the Botanical Gardens in Reykjavík. The Botanical Gardens are an outdoor collection of living plants, founded in 1961 and it celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021. The gardens’ main role is to conserve plants for education, research and delight. They conserve some 5000 plant species in eight plant collections. The collections give an idea of the enormous diversity of vegetation in the northern temperate zone. The garden is open to the public and free of charge.

💼 What the programme involves

SEEDS volunteers will be doing general park maintenance and assisting the horticultural staff tending to the collection of perennials, alpine trees and shrubs in the garden. The garden organises guided tours and events throughout the summer, the volunteers may assist in their preparation. These special events are all related to the general aim and work of the garden and some of them are carried out at short notice. The work can be repetitive as general gardening tasks tend to be and most of it is outdoors. The project starts early every weekday: working hours are from 8:00 - 15:00, except on Fridays, when work finishes at 12:00 as a part of an ongoing research into shortening the working week. Volunteers have to be motivated to start work early in the morning, but in compensation they will have more free time in the afternoon. No previous experience is necessary. As it is outdoor work, volunteers must be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned.

🏠 Accommodation on site

SEEDS volunteers will stay in an equipped house, in a beautiful setting in the Botanical Gardens of Reykjavík, which are located about 4 kilometres from the centre of the city. The facilities are basic with a kitchen, showers, and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Participants will sleep in shared rooms or dormitories. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Please note that participants from other projects may also be staying in the same house. Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food, drinks, recipes, music, games or movies from your country for the international evening. Please be aware some items or ingredients may be expensive in Iceland and you will need to buy them yourselves or bring them from your country.

📍 About the location

Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources such as geothermal power. About two thirds of the population of Iceland live in Reykjavík including the metropolitan area; over 200,000 people. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. Visitors easily experience the pure energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital, whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife.

ℹ️ Additional information

Participation fee EUR 300(Euros). The fee can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival. The participation fee does not include the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp and back, which will cost EUR 55 (Euros) one way or EUR 110 (Euros) both ways. This camp takes place in a remote place, located in a natural area of extreme beauty. SEEDS volunteers can also explore the surroundings of the location and enjoy free-time outdoor activities (like hikes or walks) arranged in cooperation with our local project host. The project takes place outside and it can be cold and/or rainy. We recommend bringing warm and waterproof clothes (underlayers, overcoats, scarves, gloves and hats), good working and walking shoes.

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