Hands-On for Environmental Education

CODE: IBG 11

PROJECT: IBG Workcamps, founded in 1965, engages increasingly in climate protection through forest and peatland projects. Through our trainings, seminars, and Workcamps we strive to encourage young people from all over the world to become active in climate- and nature protection themselves. This camp is organized by IBG in cooperation with the local network for environmental protection and sustainability. This camp supports the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development by the United Nations and highlights our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals defined for Sustainable Cities and Communities (11) and Life on Land (15).

WORK: Join the endeavors of a newborn network for environmental protection and sustainability in eastern Germany and renaturalize part of a gravel pit. Work involves maintaining the home of the European green toad, transforming former brownfield land into a place of environmental education, recreation, and biotope. There are plans to involve the local neighbors and the local environmentalists in events on the market place, you are welcome to bring ideas of how to combine nature protection with meeting the community! Beware: You are going to be outside during all working hours and the work may be physically hard. If it rains you will get wet and muddy for sure! Please bring hiking boots, extra socks to change during the day, a waterproof jacket, and warm and comfy working clothes.
ACCOMMODATION: Work place and accommodation are on the same site on the edge of the gravel pit. Beware that the living area is very simple; it has a kitchen and storage trailer, a seating pavilion, a big tent with camp beds, and a large space to set up individual tents. A mobile toilet is nearby as are solar showers. Other chances to dip in water are the small lakes around the area and a public pool in the next town. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow (if you want). The entire group does grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning together. Food will be bought with the camp budget. To minimize our carbon footprint on the planet, we encourage volunteers to reduce meat and try more environmentally friendly meals.
LOCATION: Nellschütz is located in the south-west of Leipzig. The nearest larger town is Weißenfels, the meeting point on arrival. Weißenfels is worth a visit, there is a historic old town with various baroque-style buildings, a castle, a small, and also nice shops, bars, and cafés. Town of Lützen is also nearby, it has a small animal park.

TRAVEL:
ARRIVAL: Please inform your camp leader about your arrival time so they can pick you up!
MEETING POINT: Train station Weißenfels Bahnhof (D-06667) (Coordinates: 51.20444138190742, 11.971501300646294)
NEXT AIRPORT: Leipzig (LEJ), Berlin (BER), Nuremberg (NUE)
NEXT INTERNATIONAL BUS STOP: Leipzig, Halle, all the airports The easiest and quickest connection is from Leipzig airport to Halle (Saale) and from there take RE16 or RB25 to “Weißenfels” (check connections on Deutsche Bahn).