The project
This work camp focuses on environmental restoration and the protection of natural heritage at Quinta Ecológica da Moita (QEM), a 14-hectare oak forest that has been abandoned for several years and is now being revived as a visitable educational space.
Volunteers will take part in a wide range of practical conservation activities, including:
Restoring and clearing degraded walking trails
Trimming vegetation and removing invasive species
Supporting local fauna and flora through habitat improvement
Building nest-boxes for birds, bats, and insects
Cleaning and maintaining a wildlife pond
Supporting fire prevention through shrub and vegetation control
Alongside the physical work, participants will also share and discuss the natural and social realities of their home regions, promoting environmentally and socially responsible attitudes and values.
Accommodation & food
Volunteers will sleep in a sports complex near QEM, on mattresses, in two shared rooms separated by gender. Showers with hot water are available in the sports locker rooms, also separated by gender.
Participants must bring their own:
Sleeping bag or sheets/blanket
Pillow
Towels and personal hygiene products
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided by the organisation. Lunches and dinners are served at the canteen of the Santa Casa da Misericórdias social complex. Some lunches will be packed and eaten in the field (sandwiches, fruit, etc.), and snacks will also be provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
A vegetarian option is available.
Location & leisure
The camp takes place at Quinta Ecológica da Moita (QEM), located in the village of Oliveirinha in a peaceful rural setting near the city of Aveiro.
Once a highly active educational forest, QEM has been neglected for around six years and now requires restoration work to become accessible again as a pedagogical and ecological site.
The surrounding region offers a calm countryside atmosphere while still being close to Aveiro, a vibrant coastal city known for its canals, traditional boats, and cultural heritage.
Project host
The project is hosted by the team responsible for the restoration of Quinta Ecológica da Moita, with the following main objectives:
Improving safety and visiting conditions in the forest
Promoting natural and cultural heritage, including walking trails and green spaces
Raising awareness of sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental citizenship
Encouraging intercultural relationships and responsible community engagement
Specific project goals include:
Trail maintenance and invasive species removal
Forest fire prevention actions
Recovery of a wildlife pond
Installation of shelters for wildlife
Restoration of traditional walls and fountains
Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services
Supporting heritage through workshops and leisure activities
Interested?
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