CONCERVATION WORK WITH ESTONIAN NATURE FUND | EST ELF1 | 2024-07-22 - 2024-07-29 | ENVI | Age: 18 - 88

ProjectEstonian Fund for Nature (ELF) is NGO dedicated to nature conservation. Its mission is to preserve endangered species and their habitats, natural landscapes and natural associations typical of Estonia. ELF has organized yearly nature conservation holidays where volunteers, participants and group managers work together in order to improve the living conditions of a certain species (i.e. natterjack toad, black stork) or maintain semi-natural communities. You can read on http://elfond.ee/en and see photos from volunteering camps of previous years https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/harivesilik , https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/verev-lemmmalts This year camp has two different tasks - restoring the habitats of endangered amphibians and removing non-native invasive plant species, which have to be accomplished in three different locations. The aim of the first part is restoring the habitat of endangered amphibian the northern crested newt which takes place in Haanja.Haanja National Park is the hilliest part of an otherwise low country. It s locally known for some distinct cultural heritage: smoke saunas and Voru dialect. Haanja hills create a highly diverse landscape with small size fields, hay meadows, forests, and wetlands, which is a perfect habitat for many cultural landscape species that have been lost in intensive farming areas.The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) is a rare dark lizard-like threatened amphibian species in Estonia, occurring mainly in the southern part of the country. One of the main reasons for the decrease in the crested newt numbers is the lack of small water bodies suitable for breeding. Volunteers will clear the ponds of brushwood and vegetation, which helps to ensure the survival and increase of existing populations. Here are photos from previous camps in Haanja https://www.talgud.ee/talgud/tehtavad-tood/harivesilik The aim of the second part is removing non-native invasive plant species of the Himalayan balsam. Karula National Park is famous for its vast forests and hilly landscape. This region is also an important habitat for the black stork (Ciconia nigra), a rare bird species in Estonia. The Estonian traditions and the old way of life are still alive in Karula. Historical farmhouses, old wagon trails, the local dialect, and smoke saunas are still here.Otepaa Nature Park, the largest protected landscape in Estonia, is located on hilly uplands. One of the country s most picturesque lakes i Puhajarv, or Sacred Lake in translation i is situated in the heart of the nature park. The small town of Otepaa next to the lake has given its name to the protected area and is a popular skiing destination. The diverse landscapes in the nature park are shaped by both human activity and natural processes.The Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an invasive plant species that has spread to Estonian nature from the gardens. It spreads quickly and competes with the lo

Work: Removing brushwood and vegetation from the breeding ponds of newts at Haanja. Manually plucking out the Himalayan balsam at Karula and Otepaa. A typical workday will last for 6 hours. Work equipment and gloves will be provided by ELF. Itineraries-22nd July. Before noon: arrival at Tallinn Airport. Public transport to Tartu (ca 2,5h, tickets 11-15 euros). Pick-up from Tartu coach station to Haanja with ELF s minivan (ca 1,5h).-23rd -25th July. Work in Haanja. Finnish sauna one evening.-24th July. Free time to explore the region of Haanja. -26th July. Transport to Karula National Park with ELF s minivan (1h). Work in Karula. Traditional Estonian smoke sauna.-27th July. Free time to explore the region of Karula. Transport to Otepaa Nature Park with ELF s minivan (1h).-28th July. Work in Otepaa. Sauna in the evening.-29th July. Free time to explore the region of Otepaa in the morning. Afternoon: drop-off to Tartu coach station. Public transport from Tartu to Tallinn (ca 2,5h, tickets 11-15 euros).

Accomodation and food: AccommodationHaanja: Irvese Holiday House https://irvesepuhkemaja.ee/teenused/puhkemaja-pakkumised/ Karula: Kaikamae village center https://www.facebook.com/kaikam2e/ Otepaa: Hommik House https://hommikhouse.ee/et/suvine-majutus-7-km-otepaalt/ Beds in shared rooms; sheets are provided. Showers and kitchen are available. Two evenings will be for the Finnish sauna and one for the traditional Estonian smoke sauna. We will be cooking our own food throughout the camp. The Estonian group leader will compile the menu and buy the groceries.

Location: TARTU

Location and Leisure: Haanja National Park is the hilliest part of an otherwise low country. It s locally known for some distinct cultural heritage: smoke saunas and Voru dialect. Haanja hills create a highly diverse landscape with small size fields, hay meadows, forests, and wetlands, which is a perfect habitat for many cultural landscape species that have been lost in intensive farming areas.Karula National Park is famous for its vast forests and hilly landscape. This region is also an important habitat for the black stork (Ciconia nigra), a rare bird species in Estonia. The Estonian traditions and the old way of life are still alive in Karula. Historical farmhouses, old wagon trails, the local dialect, and smoke saunas are still here.Otepaa Nature Park, the largest protected landscape in Estonia, is located on hilly uplands. One of the country s most picturesque lakes i Puhajarv, or Sacred Lake in translation i is situated in the heart of the nature park. The small town of Otepaa next to the lake has given its name to the protected area and is a popular skiing destination. The diverse landscapes in the nature park are shaped by both human activity and natural processes.Leisure timeBoard games, sauna, swimming, hiking and exploring the local surroundings, etc.

Airport: TLL

Train/Bus station: Tartu

Requirements: Special requirementsYou have to bring suitable clothing (long sleeves and pants to prevent scratches), a hat, closed footwear (sneakers or hiking boots) for work, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, personal hygiene supplies, a towel, swim wear. Necessary tools and cloves provided by ELF.NB It is important to arrive on 22.07 to Tallinn before noon If you need to arrive one day earlier in order to make it, we can help you booking inexpensive accommodation in Tallinn.What to (not) expectDo expect-physical work and plenty of fresh air-self-catering: preparing your own meals-cleaning after yourself: sweeping the floors and taking out the trash in accommodation sites-hectic weather conditions: sunshine, rain, wind, warm and cold days-many blood-sucking insects: mosquitos, horse flies, ticks -unique experience in the most beautiful sites of Estonia working directly for nature conservationDo not expect-to have everything exactly like at home the way that you are used to-to have luxurious private rooms or room service-to have everything handed out for you-restaurant meals-to always have WIFI and mobile reception-a fixed time schedule: everything may change according to the weatherParticipation fee You are kindly asked to contribute 175 Euro towards cost of board, lodging, programme, administration and for nature This fee has to be paid by volunteers either by bank transfer before the beginning of the camp or to the host upon arrival to the camp.

Tartu bus station on arrival day

Language: eng,eng

Extra Fee: 175 EUR