UST – National Parks Volunteer Placements ... - Umhverfisstofnun

European Voluntary Service (EVS)
2010 - Programme Outline
The Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun)
Umhverfisstofnun is responsible for the management and protection of Iceland’s nature
protection areas. It operates with 5 office staff based in Reykjavik and 6 field staff based in the
national parks. It has also has approximately 12 seasonal rangers who work in the protected
areas each summer. The ICV international volunteer programme plays an important role in this
work. Each summer over 250 volunteers from many countries are involved in the programme.
They work alongside local Environment Agency rangers, national park staff and other
international and local volunteers on a variety of practical conservation projects throughout the
protected areas.
Placement dates
Placements run for approximately 5 months and there are 2 possible start dates:
Team 1: 07.05.10 - 02.10.10
Team 2: 14.05.10 - 09.10.10
Project Environment
The EVS team will be based in Reykjavik and Skaftafell, (Vatnajökull National Park) though
participants will be involved in projects throughout the country from June to August. Skaftafell is
320 km from Reykjavik. The Park is in the south east of the country in what is largely a rural
area and the nearest town to Skaftafell is 70km away. EVS volunteers will stay in staff
accommodation whilst they are based at Skaftafell. Some of the projects outside of Skaftafell
are based at camps where the team will be staying in tents. All volunteers are involved in
domestic duties including organising and preparing meals.
Other ICV volunteer project sites include; Snæfellsjökull National Park, Vatnajökull National
Park Þórsmörk, Mývatn and Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
Please note – Our volunteer teams live and work in some of the most beautiful parts of Iceland.
These sites are often in very remote areas and access to large towns is limited. It is also
important to note that because of remote conditions access to internet and mobile phone cover
may also be limited at times during the placement.
International volunteers play an important and valued role in the practical management of
Iceland’s nature protection areas. The Environment Agency’s EVS volunteers work in teams
that work closely with local staff and are coordinated by experienced team leaders and who
provide training and guidance. EVS volunteers will have the opportunity to be involved in
aspects of practical conservation management in a variety of locations in Iceland. Our
volunteers live and work in these amazing areas throughout the summer. The teams get
experience of a wide range of practical conservation skills whilst working closely with local staff
and other international volunteers. EVS volunteers also receive training in “mountain safety”.
Proposed activities
Our work is focussed on three main practical tasks:
Upland trail construction and maintenance – As tourism in Iceland grows, the pressure on
the country’s fragile ecology is increased. For over 30 years now, international volunteers have
been involved in trail repair work in Iceland’s national parks. By constructing and maintaining
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good quality hiking paths in these areas, we are able to help reduce the impact of visitors and
improve safety.
Much of this is done using stones and the work centres on moving and positioning the rocks,
though trail construction also includes ground clearance work and a great deal of digging! The
tools we rely on are mainly iron bars for rock moving, as well as mattocks and shovels for
ground work
Heritage management – Volunteers are involved in tasks to help repair and maintain heritage
sites. These include repairing stone farm walls and helping to restore turf farm buildings.
Instruction and guidance is provided by experienced local staff.
Wilderness management – This work includes GPS mapping, trail maintenance and the
removal of invasive plant species (lupin) from protected wilderness areas. This work also
includes helping to remove off-road driving tracks in the highland reserves. Volunteer teams
often stay in wilderness camps in remote areas during these projects.
As well as the practical conservation tasks outlined above, EVS volunteers are also involved
with helping with the day to day running of the programme. This includes a wide variety of tasks
from organising tools and equipment and helping to prepare meals.
Please note: Because of the challenging natural environment in Iceland, participant must bring
good quality personal outdoor equipment with them. This includes a tent, sleeping bag (three
season), walking boots and waterproofs.
Volunteer profile and recruitment process
The remote work sites, basic living conditions (sometimes in tents), and the notoriously
changeable weather in Iceland, make this a very demanding programme. No previous
experience of this work is necessary as all training will be provided, however resourcefulness,
enthusiasm and a team spirit are essential.
Applicants should have an interest in nature conservation and should have some experience of
practical work, hill walking and camping. The Environment Agency’s volunteer programme in
Iceland is both an adventure and a challenge.
Applicants must have good English language skills and be aged from 20-30 years.
Volunteers are recruited through the EVS database and directly from the Environment Agency
website. All applicants are asked to complete a short application form. Short listed applicants
then have a phone interview. A second phone contact is made with successful applicants to
discuss the project contents in detail before they accept a place.
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