Preserve biodiversity and culture in the Bavarian Mountains Gumpenried

CODE: IBG 16

PROJECT: This Workcamp is a cooperation between IBG and the Nature Park Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald, including the local forestry administration. 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 Good Health and Well-Being (3), Climate Action (13) and Life on Land (15).
WORK: Immerse yourself in Bavarian mountain culture and support the maintenance of the historic Schachten — forest pastures, used for keeping cattle in the mountains. The Bavarian Forestry and the National Park have an annual tradition around this duty and make it a communal event. Essential work tasks include removing shrubs, thinning out old wood, and installing protection measurements for endangered species to keep the area’s biodiversity. The mountain pastures here have an important meaning for animal and plant life. Birds like the capercaillie and flowers like the brown gentian depend on the savannahlike landscapes and the structurally rich forests. Also wood ants settle in bright and sunny spots which in turn are an extremely important food source for the capercaillie chicks.

ACCOMMODATION: You stay in one of the forestry department’s huts close to a small village with a train station, “Gumpenried-Asbach”. The accommodation is simple and cosy and delivers a real forestry atmosphere. Did you ever wanted to try living off grid? Then this might be a good opportunity: Electricity only runs with photovoltaic panels and there are additional gaslights! In case of emergency there is also a generator that runs with fuel. The heating works with a central wood oven. For cooking there is a gas stove. The accommodation has two levels with a community space, a kitchen, toilets and a bathroom. There is hot water, but it remains exciting for you to find out how many showers are enough. There are three dorm rooms with space for 15 people. 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 sustainable meals.

LOCATION: The camp is located in the middle of a forest and very close to the river Schwarzer Regen [“black rain”]. Not altered a lot by humans, the river is freely winding through the forest. The region around Gumpenried is therefore called Bavarian Canada. The location is ideal to explore the nature of the surroundings. With the train station in reach you are also able to explore the greater region within your free time. Excursions will be mainly to explore the nature – some of them under the professional guidance of rangers. Hiking will be an essential part. Excursions to bigger cities will not be possible due to the isolated location in the middle of the Bavarian forest.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

MEETING POINT: Train station “Gumpenried-Asbach” (D-94244) Please inform your camp leader about your arrival time so they can pick you up!
NEXT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Nuremberg (NUE), Munich (MUC), Prague (PRG)
NEXT INTERNATIONAL BUS STOPS: All the airports, Regensburg
Check for connections to Gumpenried-Asbach from anywhere on Deutsche Bahn.

FURTHER INFO: Please be aware that ticks can be an issue after spending a lot of time outdoors. In our General Info Sheet you will find suggestions on how you can protect yourself against them. Consider to check whether a vaccination against the tick-borne disease TBE makes sense and is possible in your home country.