Tag Archives: eco

Residential Volunteering with RSPB – UK and Europe

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Residential volunteering is your chance to have a break, try something new or get some experience for your CV.

There are over 40 different places to stay and hundreds of things to do. You can spend a week or more on a reserve, and you can do it alone or bring a friend.

We’ll provide you with accommodation, new skills and some great memories.

Browse through the opportunities further down the page to see what takes your fancy. If you’d prefer a Highland adventure to a long stay in Suffolk, you can filter the opportunities using the location button.

If you’d like a taster of what it’s like to be a residential volunteer, you can watch this short video:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/residential.aspx

EnviroTrek Clean Up Series 2012 – Respect the mountain

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Envirotrek Series 2012

Respect the Mountains organizes in cooperation with main sponsor KEEN Footwear the third edition of the EnviroTrek Clean Up Series. These will take place at six fantastic locations in Europe.

What is an Envirotrek? An Envirotrek is an adventure outdoor event where, aside from an the opportunity to try an outdoor activity, the participant will give back to the environment. Both locals and tourists alike can join in the fun!

The day will take a  format similar to the following.

Maximum participants: 80
09.30: Gathering and start Clean-Up;
12.30: BBQ Lunch;
13.30: Outdoor activities: Either rock climbing, raft building or mountain biking;
16.00: Goodbye + Goodie bag

Envirotrek All-Inclusive Costs
Adults – 10 Euros
Youth under 12 – Free * Minimum Age – 6 years

Envirotrek 2012 Events Dates and Locations are various and to be confirmed. Last years events were at the following locations:
Naturpark St. Pietersberg, The Netherlands
Mayrhofen, Austria
Naturpark Southern Schwarzwald, Germany
Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany
Samoens, France
Einruhr-Sinmerath, Eifel, Germany

SIGN UP VIA Envirotrek website

WWF volunteers help wolves by helping shepherds !

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The main aim is to improve acceptance of predators such as wolves, bears and lynx in the alpine range. This will be done by helping alpine farmers reduce predation damage through herd protection measures. An extra goal is to increase the understanding of these species in both city and mountain-dwellers.

Successful herd protection is essential

The re-colonization of Switzerland by lynx, bears and wolves can cause problems for the local population. The implementation of specific herd protection measures can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of attacks by the large carnivores. Furthermore the maintenance of traditional shepherding can benefit the ecological quality of high mountain pastures and forests. Protection measures however, are often frowned upon by herd owners because they require additional work and expenditure.

Herd protection measures need help!

WWF volunteers will attend an introduction course. They will then be allocated to a farm for a period of time. During this period they will implement protection measures in accordance with a scheme developed in France called “PastoraLoup”. The volunteer’s role is to actively participate in the daily work routine: they will spend the night outdoors with the guarding dogs to stand watch over the herd; they will inform tourists on the role of guarding dogs and will explain which behaviours to adopt when encountering one. Volunteers will also help raise protective fencing in specific areas. An unforgettable experience. Nights spent out in the open, long walks following the herd in beautiful mountain ranges: volunteers will experience both the joys and hardships of a shepherd’s life. Participating in the ‘Help the shepherd’ programme is a concrete action you can take. You will help the environment, by promoting sustainable farming, and you will facilitate the wolves’ return to the Alps. It is also an extraordinary adventure!

If you are interested in particiapting in this incredible opportunity: http://www.wwf.ch/fr/cequevouspouvezfaire/soyezactifs/devenezbenevole/aideauxbergers/ or if you interested in the French equivalent http://www.ferus.fr/benevolat/pastoraloup.

Do you need Eco/Green hours?

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Dear Friends of Serve the City Geneva,

We have a couple of events scheduled to correspond with World Clean Up Day and wanted to invite you to sign up for one of the events.

A.  We are looking for a few energetic cleaners to help clear some of the overgrown animal cages in Bellevue at the Zoo Parc d’Accueil. The animals will be very grateful for your time! This will be a half day event 9-12:30.

B.  Another option is to help with some cleaning at Villa Julien at Ali Baba a  second hand shop run by Carrefour Rue in Geneva (click “Activités” and then “Caverne Ali Baba” for information.)  This is a full day event, from 9:00 to 16:00 .

It’s easy to sign up. Just send an email here: volunteers@servethecitygeneva.ch stating your project of interest (either “A” or “B” – or  “Either event.”) We will then send you more details on the project.   Let us know if you would not  mind taking up a the job of a project team leader some time.

Project AWARE – Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education

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Activity name: Project AWARE – Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education

Activity duration: 5hrs of self study and 4hrs of class time.

Date of offer: Courses take place from 16h to 20h – dates to be confirmed.

Outline of activity with a description:  This course covers information about aquatic ecosystem degradation alongwith conservation measures to protect aquatic resources.

A. The purpose of the Project AWARE Specialty is to familiarize divers and nondivers with the plight of worldwide aquatic ecosystems and to describe what individuals can do to help protect them. You are encouraged to elaborate beyond the detail in this outline to accommodate the needs and interests of your students.

B. This program is designed for classroom presentation only; no dives are required. It is highly recommended that this program be conducted in conjunction with other specialties such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Naturalist, AWARE — Fish Identification and other programs such as Discover Snorkeling, Skin Diver course, etc.

C. Because the Project AWARE Specialty program does not have any dive or skill requirements, participants do not receive a specialty diving certification card. However, participants may receive a PADI completion (nondiving) card and/or a Project AWARE Certificate of Recognition.

 Qualifications: Open to students of all ages.

Costs: 110CHF per student.

If you would like further information please contact Vladimir Stosic (vladimir.stosic@cdl.ch).