Pro Terra Engiadina (Sent GR)

CODE: CH-SCI W10.20

Description

The Foundation Pro Terra Engiadina (PTE) is a cross-sector foundation which aims to maintain and promote the natural and cultural landscape, as well as biodiversity in the Engadin valley. Given its involvement with many sectors, PTE integrates ecological connectivity into the spatial planning which is one of its strengths. Members of the foundation board are all municipalities of the Lower Engadin, different environmental protection NGOs, the Swiss National Park, the regional Tourism destination, different sections of the Cantonal administration as well as the Cantonal School for farmers.

The focus of this Volunteer Camp is on supporting the maintenance and promotion of biodiversity in various environments, including dry meadows, peatlands, and community gardens.

Type of Work

The focus is on the maintenance and promotion of biodiversity in dry meadows, peatlands or community gardens. Other work depends on weather conditions: clearing shrubbery from dry meadows, peatlands and along cultural structures; collecting stones to build cairns or dry-stone walls; retrieving branches and stacking them into piles; maintaining water streams; help in community or school gardens, participating in a littering project by collecting litter in an area along the main river in Engadin, the Inn River. You can also participate in environmental education events if your language skills allow it or if they are hold in English. Please be aware that the working days might be rather long, as they include travelling to different locations in the valley, as you will be working in various places. This is a great opportunity to explore the region. The specific working hours vary from day to day and are adjusted according to the temperature (on warm days, for example, work starts a little earlier, when it is still cool).

Study Theme

During your volunteer camp time you will mainly help farmers preserve dry meadows and other valuable habitats. An expert will give you an insight on history, ecology and alpine farming in the region, while you help protecting habitats for endangered species and making a positive contribution to the preservation of this precious cultural landscape. PTE usually works without electrical tools, mostly to enjoy the peace and quiet but also to give you an idea of energy and power that ensues from working and spending time together outdoors in the wonderful nature.

Accommodation

You will live in a house for groups. It is nicely equipped and also offers space for after-work activities. For the overnight stays you have to bring 1 sleeping bag, 1 bed sheet and 1 pillow case (at least 60cm x 60cm). 1 pillow and 1 woolen blanket per bed are available. Toilets and showers are available in the group house. Access to a washing machine can be arranged. There is Wi-Fi in the accommodation. In the accommodation of this camp, the consumption of alcohol is not permitted!

The volunteers have to buy food and cook on their own – a budget is available. The volunteers are responsible for preparing all the food during the camp. Sometimes the SCI volunteers will cook together with the volunteer camp hosting partner, but not every day (or evening). Please be aware that for lunch, volunteers will prepare sandwiches they will take with them to the working place. Groceries can be bought in the village and obtained from regional and sustainable resources. We recommend you to limit your meat consumption, so as to contribute to the camp’s principle of sustainability.

Language: Camp language is English. The local languages are Romansh and German. Not everybody on the side of the volunteer camp hosting partner speaks English well – but during most days there will be an additional person who speaks English and during the other days the volunteer camp hosting partner is supported by the SCI volunteer coordinators for translations.

Requirements

Please note that the work is physically demanding, as it involves working outdoors in steep terrain, lifting stones and cutting down branches!

You absolutely must bring good waterproof mountain- or trekking shoes. Gym shoes won't do it! The working area can be steep and might be slippery.

Generally, you should be ready to be offline during the workshops, working sessions and group leisure time activities. The volunteer camp is about intercultural exchange – for the following reason, the mobile phone should not always be present so that the volunteers can exchange ideas with each other and learn about the content.

Additional information

Why did SCI Switzerland choose to support this volunteer camp? We support foundation Pro Terra Engiadina since it aims at increasing the diversity of the territory in order to support both plants, animals and local economy.

Max. 3 minor volunteers are accepted.