The Schulbiologiezentrum is one of five stakeholders in the EU nature conservation project LIFE BOVAR. Since 2018, this project has aimed for protection of amphibians and its habitats.
Schulbiologiezentrum is responsible for local conservation areas and it manages the breeding of Yellow-bellied toads and environmental education as well.
Two yellow-bellied toads in mating position (Photo: Christoph Petersen)
In a two-week workcamp from 8.8.2022 – 19.8.2022 you can get insight into a real conservation program and be part of a work-intensive and very important summer season!
Therefore, you will work in various places, together with the EU-LIFE BOVAR staff, employees from the local nature conservation authority and other volunteers.
Apart from work, you will have plenty of spare time and many joint free time activities are going to be organized.
Work:
You are welcome to help with practical nature conservation for amphibians in the conservation areas. Together you will structure small ponds and re-establish ideal living conditions for amphibians. The monitoring of the target species is also a task this summer. This means volunteers will search for amphibians in the natural habitat and do the scientific documentation of the real occurrence of these animals.
Student researching predation of yellow-bellied toads (Photo: Christoph Petersen)
Within the territory of Schulbiologiezentrum you will help out to take care of the Yellow-bellied toads used for breeding and do minor maintenance work. Volunteers will see all states of the development of these species and we hope you will experience the moment when they are adult and when YOU release them into the wild.
Study part:
During your volunteering, you can learn a lot about amphibians and how nature conservation is organized in Germany. Besides the practical part, there will be presentations, workshops and other sessions held by the EU-LIFE BOVAR staff and management or external experts. Possible topics will be quite various – amphibian species, loss of biodiversity or ecosystems etc. This workcamp is a good opportunity to improve your German language skills as you are going to be in touch with German native speakers.
Region & Leisure time:
Hildesheim is a university town of about 100.000 inhabitants and is located at the margin of the low- and the uplands in Northern Germany. Parts of its city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site due to famous churches. At the same time, it also has beautiful natural landscapes to discover.
In the city center, you will find bars, restaurants, a museum along many others facilities. On the outskirts of the city there is a lake where it is possible to swim.
Besides the practical work, there will be several recreational events like a canoe-tour on the Innerste River, a visit to Lower Saxonys capital Hannover, shared dinning, a guided city tour in Hildesheim, etc.
Accommodation and food:
You will live at the windmill Marienrode, an old windmill, which has been converted into a hostel with four-bed rooms, shared bathrooms, a large common room and an inviting terrace.
We will cook in a rather professional kitchen.
The accomodation at an old windwill (Photo: Christoph Petersen)
The windmill itself is located outside of Hildesheim. The next supermarket is 3 km away. The city center it is about 7 km. We will provide bicycles and it is mandatory that you have some experience riding them. There is a bus station 1 km away and there will be tickets for all volunteers.
Remarks: Volunteers will need a sleeping bag, a towel and swimming apparel and they should be able to ride a bike. For work, please bring sturdy shoes and working clothes. Wellies will be very helpful. Sun protection is mandatory. As the region is rural, it is possible to make cycling trips.
At the windmill, there will be plenty of time in the evening to sing, dance, play basketball or do a campfire. Therefore, it would be great if you could bring some musical instruments or board games.
There is no public transport to the windmill; pick-up from main station Hildesheim will be arranged. The nearest railway stations is Hildesheim. You will get the contact details of the camp leader a few weeks before the workcamp starts.