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Woodland Management at Dübener Heide Nature Park Germany
Dates: 2nd July - 6th August 2012 TBC
Number of UK participants: 5
Duration: 4 weeks
Dubener Heide Naturpark:
Dubener Heide Naturpark is a non-government organisation that has hosted over
100 UK students enrolled on environmental placements funded by the EU since
2000. Peter Kaiser, the Education Officer of the Naturpark, will supervise
the UK environmental group for the 4-week placement during summer 2011. The
Naturpark encompasses an area of 75,000 ha, with 54% forest and the remaining
46% of land used for agricultural purposes. The Naturpark has a relatively
low population, but features some important wildlife habitats. About 90% of
the Naturpark is protected landscape, with 20% of land designated for the
protection of birds. Some of which exist in the Naturpark are rarely seen
in Britain including the Red and Black Kite and Sandmartin.
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Because of the date of the annual 'wood festival'
at the end of July, we would like the students to arrive in Germany to incorporate
this. The placement will commence in summer 2011 (4 weeks). The wood festival
will be the last weekend in July and to coincide with this event, Peter Kaiser
(our principle host) is offering a 7 to 10 day long training / work experience
action on 'forest art'. It will involve going to the forest to select a tree
/ log / wood, for making an art work, working with local artists (especially
Wolfgang Köppe) and then positioning the artwork at a forest recreation
site. The idea is to use sustainable natural products and make some sort of
environmental statement or promotion.
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The remainder of the content revolves around practical nature conservation in the Dübener Heide Naturpark, including heathland and forest management, working at a village arboretum, making interpretation boards and signs, working on school conservation projects, etc. There will also be the possibility to work on a local Agenda 21 type project, using local and natural materials to build heritage reconstructions (Saxon houses, etc.) to demonstrate sustainability. In previous placements there has been a chance to visit Berlin, Dresden and Leipzig and even Prague in the neighbouring Czech Republic. The common theme of the 'DESIRE' placements is to develop practical environmental skills which can also improve and develop forest recreation projects. Suggestions so far include; developing mountain bike trails, creating forest trails and footpaths, building and developing countryside furniture, creating bird-hides with natural materials and more.
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Accommodation:
The environmental group will be accommodated at Landgasthof (www.gasthof-pressel.de)
in the village of Pressel, located within Dubener Heide Naturpark
Participants will stay in rooms (based on two people sharing) with bathroom facilities. Participants will receive three meals a day at the restaurant located in the hotel and should tell the reception/supervisor upon arrival about any special dietary requirements. There is no internet café in the village of Pressel, so participants will have to drive to Bad Duben or Leipzig where they can locate the nearest one. In case of emergencies, participants can also use the computer at the Naturpark office.
The village of Pressel is home to 600 inhabitants and facilities include
a doctor's surgery, two restaurants, a supermarket, a garage and a farm shop.
This is also a youth centre in the village, which a good place to meet the
locals. The nearest town Bad Duben is approximately 10km from Pressel or the
city of Leipzig is located 40km away.
Transportation
Throughout the four week placement, the group will work at different locations
throughout the Naturpark and have access to two vehicles, which can also be
used during free weekends. Places of interest that the group may wish to visit
independently on weekends include Dresden, Colditz, Berlin and Leipzig. Alternatively,
there is also a regular bus service from Pressel to Bad Duben.
Excursions:
Sites of interest located within the Naturpark will be visited by the group.
There are also the nearby historic towns of Torgau and Wittenberg (related
to Martin Luther) to see. Upon arrival, participants will be given a map of
the Naturpark, which illustrates places to interest that can be visited by
pushbike (available to the group).
The Leonardo da Vinci funding available for these placements will cover travel (return travel from main UK airport), insurance, subsistence allowance (equal to three meals a day) and accommodation.
Read the by John Rushton- A participant on the Germany DESIRE placement in 2008
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NOTE: Participants on all of our placements will now require a European Health Insurance CARD (EHIC). CLICK HERE to visit the external website and apply for your EHIC online. |
