📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The project aims at maintaining the natural hot spots, preserving biodiversity in Wachau Cultural Landscape, and raising awareness of the significance of the site. At the end of the two weeks project, five to ten hectares of dry grasslands are expected to be maintained. We will spend two to three days at both of the Austrian National Parks Thayatal and Donau-Auen. The focus on our work there will be the management of invasive species. Through the cooperation of three protected sites you as a volunteer get the chance to get to know three different amazing landscapes of Eastern Austria.
💼 What the programme involves
Dry grasslands are a rare and endangered type of habitat in the Wachau valley and the Nationalpark Thayatal. We will cut the grass, the bushes and trees and remove the biomass from the areas to hold back the succession. We will also work in the wetlands of Wachau and Nationalpark Donauauen where we will selectively remove invasive alien species to support the native flora. We are not only working for biodiversity, but also for the beauty of the unique landscapes.
🏠 Accommodation on site
During our stay in the Wachau we will stay in local guesthouses. In the national parks we will sleep in tents and therefore the volunteers will need to bring their own sleeping bags, pillow and mats. Volunteers will cook for themselves.
📍 About the location
The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems, a landscape of high visual quality. The Nationalpark Thayatal is situated at the northern border of Austria and the area stretches in both countries Austria and Czech Republic. The Nationalpark Donau-Auen stretches along the Danube River between Vienna and Bratislava and protects the last remaining major wetland in Central Europe
⚠️ Requirements
We will be working about 6 hours per day – in steep terrain, on hot days, on rainy days etc. Therefore, some basic fitness is required and strong hiking boots. Before you sign up for this camp PLEASE make sure that you are healthy enough to participate. Also a small motivationletter is required.