Skaftafell Wilderness Volunteer Programme, Iceland

Program Description

As a conservation volunteer in Skaftafell National Park, Iceland, you will have the opportunity to assist our teams in preserving the Vatnajökull National Park in Skaftafell. This spectacular area is home to one of the world’s largest glaciers and there are plenty of other natural sights to see.

Skaftafell National Park is very well-known to outdoor enthusiasts because of glaciers, lagoons, mountains, and diverse vegetation. Two long glacier tongues meet in this area and as a volunteer, you will be able to help manage the spectacular trails of this park. Volunteers have been helping since 1996 and you will be placed around the trail networks of Skaftafell center and Kristínartýndar. These trails have undergone extreme erosion and you will help to repair the damage done.

Volunteer duties include:
- Boardwalk building
- Resurfacing the trails
- Improving drainage
- Bridge building
- Stone step construction

Skaftafell National Park’s rangers and our teams will work with volunteers in order to manage the area. Last year we were able to complete over 200 weeks of trail construction and erosion control.

Highlights

The landscape and land of Skaftafell National Park is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Volunteers will receive hands-on conservation management experience and training with park ranger's and our team.

Qualifications

To volunteer in Skaftafell National Park you should be between 18 to 50 years old, fit, healthy and capable of carrying out work in all conditions in a cold and wet climate. In addition, you need to be prepared to do a lot of walking and hiking on uneven ground every day, and to be comfortable living in rustic conditions and camping in a tent for two weeks or more. The area of Skaftafell is rugged wilderness, so it is important that you have already had some exposure to this type of terrain. This programme may be sometimes difficult due to long hiking and for those who have no previous camping experience. No specific skills are needed, but those with previous experience of manual conservation work, trail work, botany, terrestrial monitoring etc. would be particularly useful, as well as those who are self-motivated, since you will get more out of the project. The project will especially appeal to those with an interest in conservation, restoration, wilderness and low impact camping. Anyone with additional skills are especially welcome!

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

The cost covers all project costs, including all food, camping, equipment provided for the project (not personal), facilities, all training and supervision by project manager and volunteers, WorkingAbroad Projects backup and placement support.