PZ-06 Biosphere preserve and biever farm

Program Description

Dates: 28.06-13.07.2016
The project will take place in Voronezh Biosphere Reserve. It's a large natural area, a unique combination of relief and climate, rich of flora and fauna and surrounded by forests and steppes.
The reserve is one of the biggest nursery of beavers, it serves to protect and breed these animals, which had nearly all been killed by early last century. Volunteers will have the chance to observe the life of the beavers and to help the workers with looking after and feeding them.
The Voronezh Biosphere Reserve abounds in historical and cultural landmarks and it was a part of the vast territory of the Russian-Tatar border. There are fragments of fortified structures and settlements serving a reminder of the Russian-Tatar period. There is a natural history museum on the site of the reserve. More detailed you can read here in Russian http://www.zapovednik-vrn.ru/
Volunteers will have an opportunity to attend a number of lectures and discussions on botany, zoology and the history of the place provided by the biologists and the scientists working on the site.
Excursions will be organized Nature Biosphere Reserve and city Ramon.
Attention! Dates can change about 2 days sooner or later.
Group size: 6 (3M+3F) and 1 campleader.
Age: 18 - 99
Motivation letter. Volunteers with allergies have to be attentive - physical work, a lot of sun, a lot of plants and herbs. Please, bring a sleeping bag, mattresses, sunscreen and a repellent.

Highlights

Meeting point:
Voronezh. Nearest terminal Voronezh and Moscow.
Camp address:
Russian Federation, Voronezhskaya oblast, National Park, Central Estate.
The camp is situated in suburbs of the city Voronezh- the capital of the Central Black Earth Region of Russia. The city is located 500 km to the south from Moscow and has very good connections Moscow-Voronezh via railway, busses and planes. Voronezh also has international airport with flights to certain cities: Munich, Istanbul, Yerevan etc.
The natural preserve area is around 1 hour bus ride from the city. The transfer of volunteers will be organized from Voronezh.

Qualifications

Volunteers will participate in the following activities: clearing the path for visitors, participate in forest work, helping to care for the horses, take part in harvesting the hay for the horses, take care of the territory of the reserve - lawn care, pruning bushes and trees.
In addition, volunteers will be able to watch and feed the otters and enjoy the pleasant moments next to the river.

What`s Included

Tent camp. Tents provided by the Reserve. It is important that you bring warm clothes and warm sleeping bag, especially during the night. Toilets are outside. There will be equipped summer shower and banya - Russian type of sauna.

Food:
Meals prepared by volunteers in an open-air portable kitchen. Vegetarian food is possible, since the volunteers will cook by themselves. You will cook in a cooking place which is also equipped by a fridge and a stove; dishes and kitchenware will be provided. The camp is not suitable for vegetarians.