Volunteering in Bavaria, Germany
| country: | Germany |
| location: | Bavaria |
| departures: | 2008: 6 Oct |
| price: | From £385 (15 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The beauty of Autumn in Bavaria, stunning scenery, and the fun of making hay while the sun still shines. This is one of our favourite holidays - working with some of the most interesting people in an out of the way corner of Bavaria.
Who we're working with: We've been working for many years now with a local branch of the bird protection group, the Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV Starnberg). LBV is charitable organisation that deals works in conservation locally, nationally and at a political level. Working closely with LBV, are the Bavarian branch of Bund Naturschutz (BN), who provide our accommodation and organise similar work. The BN is equivalent to "Friends of the Earth" in Germany. We will be working with a number of volunteers from both organisations.
Where we're working: On the edge of Ammersee, a beautiful lake at Herrsching, near Munich. The area was designated as a Ramsar site (a wetland site of international importance) in November 1974, the designated site boundary following the lake shore in the east and west and including areas of flat moorland with some scattered meadowland. Deposition from the Ammer River in the southern end of the lake has formed several peninsulas extending into the lake, with swallow bays largely fringed by reeds. The lake outlet is the River Ammer in the north, which eventually joins the River Isar. The site is of national and international significance for the passage and wintering of waterfowl which it supports, including tufted duck, coot, gadwall, mallard, pochard and goldeneye. The flat moorlands north and south of the lake support many breeding species including black-headed gull, snipe and red-crested pochard.
Where we'll be staying: In the past we've stayed in dormitory style accommodation in a large lakeside manor house belonging to environmental education centre. This year, as the centre is developed, it is hoped that a nearby newly converted boat house will be ready in time for us. As this is not yet certain, some flexibility may be required and we'll provide updated information as we know it. Either way, the accommodation is set in a stunning lakeside location and is comfortable with all facilities including a fully equipped kitchen for shared self-catering.
What else is there: We'll have evenings and some days off to explore and enjoy the area and our hosts are keen to organise a trip out to some of the castles and mountain areas. Other easily accessible activities nearby include: Sailing and windsurfing on the Ammersee; Cycling - hire a bike from the train station at Herrsching. Cycle paths follow most of the shoreline of Ammersee. Herrsching has a lakeside promenade with waterside restaurants and cafes; Boat tours depart regularly from pier; some excellent Mountain walking - bring hiking boots! Munich is a stonesthrow away on the S-bahn – attractive major city, various museums, Nymphenburg Palace and Olympic Park (1972 games); Botanical Gardens adjacent to Nymphenburg Park; Benedictine Abbey of Andechs in the hills that overlook Ammersee from the east. Built in the 15th century, the church was redecorated in the Rococo style by Johann Baptist Zimmermann, then at the peak of his career. The beer produced by the monastery brewery is well worth sampling. And of course there's the Oktoberfest - our holiday starts the day after it finishes - programme in a few days extra beforehand, and you could really be creating the perfect German experience!
Who we're working with: We've been working for many years now with a local branch of the bird protection group, the Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV Starnberg). LBV is charitable organisation that deals works in conservation locally, nationally and at a political level. Working closely with LBV, are the Bavarian branch of Bund Naturschutz (BN), who provide our accommodation and organise similar work. The BN is equivalent to "Friends of the Earth" in Germany. We will be working with a number of volunteers from both organisations.
Where we're working: On the edge of Ammersee, a beautiful lake at Herrsching, near Munich. The area was designated as a Ramsar site (a wetland site of international importance) in November 1974, the designated site boundary following the lake shore in the east and west and including areas of flat moorland with some scattered meadowland. Deposition from the Ammer River in the southern end of the lake has formed several peninsulas extending into the lake, with swallow bays largely fringed by reeds. The lake outlet is the River Ammer in the north, which eventually joins the River Isar. The site is of national and international significance for the passage and wintering of waterfowl which it supports, including tufted duck, coot, gadwall, mallard, pochard and goldeneye. The flat moorlands north and south of the lake support many breeding species including black-headed gull, snipe and red-crested pochard.
a day in a life of a volunteer
The work focuses on habitat and meadow management in wetland and dry-land areas. Traditional hay-making, coppicing, bog restoration, pond creation and more depending on demand and weather. We'll be working on a range of different reserve sites including at the ecological education centre estate at Wartaweil village. Working days will generally start at 8am and with breaks for lunch and tea, will end at 4pm. Please be prepared for some flexibility in these working hours depending on weather and work priorities. Look forward to a relaxed and jovial work environment where the team works hard to get the job done. Where we'll be staying: In the past we've stayed in dormitory style accommodation in a large lakeside manor house belonging to environmental education centre. This year, as the centre is developed, it is hoped that a nearby newly converted boat house will be ready in time for us. As this is not yet certain, some flexibility may be required and we'll provide updated information as we know it. Either way, the accommodation is set in a stunning lakeside location and is comfortable with all facilities including a fully equipped kitchen for shared self-catering.
What else is there: We'll have evenings and some days off to explore and enjoy the area and our hosts are keen to organise a trip out to some of the castles and mountain areas. Other easily accessible activities nearby include: Sailing and windsurfing on the Ammersee; Cycling - hire a bike from the train station at Herrsching. Cycle paths follow most of the shoreline of Ammersee. Herrsching has a lakeside promenade with waterside restaurants and cafes; Boat tours depart regularly from pier; some excellent Mountain walking - bring hiking boots! Munich is a stonesthrow away on the S-bahn – attractive major city, various museums, Nymphenburg Palace and Olympic Park (1972 games); Botanical Gardens adjacent to Nymphenburg Park; Benedictine Abbey of Andechs in the hills that overlook Ammersee from the east. Built in the 15th century, the church was redecorated in the Rococo style by Johann Baptist Zimmermann, then at the peak of his career. The beer produced by the monastery brewery is well worth sampling. And of course there's the Oktoberfest - our holiday starts the day after it finishes - programme in a few days extra beforehand, and you could really be creating the perfect German experience!
volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
how this holiday makes a difference
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You're not just visiting one of South Germany's finest rural areas, you're actually helping to preserve it. You will be helping to establish better wetland sites for nesting birds, amphibians, and plant species found in this environment. The work carried out by volunteers provides examples of good working practice to tourists visiting the area, which may be used in displays at the environmental centre.
Wetland landscapes are increasingly under threat globally, and particularly in Europe. Intensive agriculture and increasing development all contribute to habitat loss and decline in quality. These areas provide essential habitat for many threatened and endangered plant, animal and bird species. In the past, traditional farming techniques have created and maintained ideal conditions. Much of our work will be recreating or emulating these techniques, in ways that can only be done in the tradition of many hands making light work. Many of the sites are too wet, or ecologically delicate for machinery to operate on. This careful habitat management sustains and improves the biodiversity in the area. The habitat management also establishes habitat 'units' at the new ecological education centre providing a valuable resource for environmental education, study and research. As the UK's biggest environmental volunteering charity, our aim is to make the maximum contribution to the communities and places we work in and we always work with a local partner organisation. This is a unique holiday in a unique place. Working directly with a local environmental organisation staff, volunteers and local people you'll have the chance to experience Bavaria in a way no other holiday can offer. Living, laughing and working as a group, you're not only changing the world, you'll change your life. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've lead the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |