THE AUGA BOG

CODE: CONCF- 3315

Project and work :

Come and take part in the project to protect the Auga peat bog! At the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, this natural area is a unique mosaic of ecosystems! You'll be able to discover the local fauna and flora and carry out a number of tasks to help preserve this environment: thermal brush-cutting, small-scale logging, removal of certain invasive exotic plant species, construction of pontoons to cross streams, creation of wooden signs to raise awareness. A worksite right in the heart of nature!

Accommodation and meals:

You will be accommodated in individual tents, with sanitary facilities, kitchen and communal living area. You'll have the chance to sleep on the peat bog site, right in the middle of nature. An old barn on the site has been refurbished and now contains modern facilities, with a kitchen, toilets and a large enclosed room for meals and activities during the stay. The showers are in Louvie-Juzon, a 5-minute drive away, and we'll be going there at least once a day.

You will share the various collective tasks and prepare meals together. A budget will be allocated to the leaders, and you will help with the shopping and meal preparation, giving priority to healthy, local produce. Once a week, we'll go to the nearest village market, in Louvie-Juzon.

WIFI available, laundry done by hand.

Together, you'll help to organise community life (housework, activities, etc.) and take it in turns to prepare meals using locally sourced produce. Our aim is to encourage vegetarian eating using local, seasonal produce, while respecting participants' diets and discovering local cuisine together.

Partner :

The peat bog is a wetland classified as a sensitive natural area. Around ten years ago, the commune of Louvie-Juzon undertook the restoration and enhancement of this former pastoral site. It is now managed by the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. Numerous awareness-raising missions are carried out on site throughout the year for schoolchildren and local residents. The Auga peat bog is home to some remarkable plant and animal species (including a rare species of butterfly and numerous species of dragonfly). The workcamp will not only be an opportunity to help preserve this unique site, but also to discover all its secrets thanks to the many specialists who will be on hand to show you around.

Geographical location and leisure activities :

The commune of Louvie-Juzon is located at the gateway to the Ossau valley, just a stone's throw from the Pyrenees mountain range. Between the mountains and the sheep and cow pastures, this site, right in the middle of nature, will be an opportunity to discover the small mountain villages around, their inhabitants, the gastronomic specialities and the nearby hiking trails! Get your boots ready! On the site of the peat bog itself, small footpaths allow you to wander through this magnificent natural area and observe the birds, dragonflies and endemic flowers.

Special requirements and remarks:

Don't forget to bring work clothes and shoes that won't get dirty.

In the mountains, despite the sunshine, the weather is surprising and can change rapidly.

For leisure activities, you'll need to pack clothes suited to the climate (warm fleece or jumper, shorts and hiking trousers, windbreaker, down jacket, warm socks, etc.). For hiking, high-top, notched shoes are recommended. Don't forget sun protection (a hat or cap is essential, sunglasses with a high protection factor because of the intense reflection, sun cream with a high protection factor IP 30-50, etc.) and a swimming costume for swimming or white-water activities.

For accommodation, remember to bring a warm sleeping bag and a towel. You should also bring a rucksack (in addition to your luggage), comfortable trainers and a pair of flip-flops. You'll also need to pack these essential accessories: a mobile phone charger, hiking poles (not compulsory, but recommended), a water bottle, a set of bandages and a headlamp or torch.

Social events will be organised in collaboration with our leaders and according to your wishes. In particular, we'll be organising themed evenings in each country. If you'd like to share a little of your culture (recipes, traditional stories, unusual objects, music, etc.), don't hesitate to take it with you.

Languages :

English, French

Meeting point:

The meeting point is at PAU SNCF station on 13/08 in the late afternoon.

The exact meeting time will be communicated with the route map, sent out no later than 4 weeks before the start of the project.

There are several direct trains from Paris Gare Montparnasse to PAU. The journey takes approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

Train reservations can be made approximately 4 months before departure on the SNCF website, link below:

https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/