The project
During this volunteer project, you will make an important contribution to the preservation of a 2km-long educational nature trail. The ERNat(o)ur nature trail consists of 16 learning and experience stations where children and young people can gain practical experience on topics such as biotopes, species conservation, sustainable use of our habitat, and conscious nutrition. The aim is to encourage students to shape a sustainable environment by teaching them about nature and its interrelationships, and raising their awareness of the invaluable value of nature.
To ensure that the nature trail can continue to be used, urgent maintenance and care are required. Despite ongoing maintenance and renovation work by the supervising association, Erlebnis Natur e.V. (ERNA), there are always sites that cannot be maintained by the organisation alone. Previous volunteers were involved in the rebuilding of  a 100-metre-long boardwalk, and another group renewed and enlarged  a small landing net pond.
As part of this year's project, weather protection roofs will be set up to ensure protection for the around 100 events linked to the topic of education and sustainability, welcoming  around 3,000 visitors You will also be carrying out some work on the landing net pond, which was renovated in 2022, repairing and replacing broken information boards on the nature trail, cutting and repairing paths, and preparing for two major festivals of the Erlebnis Natur e.V. (ERNA) association: the apple festival on 3rd October and the 20th anniversary of the association on 7th October.
For the Erlebnis Natur e.V. (ERNA) association, your maintenance work on the nature trail is an important requirement for fulfilling its self-imposed task of education for sustainable development. The members of the association will also pursue this task during your work and provide you with a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge about nature, the environment, species and climate protection, sustainable development, and sustainable use of our habitat as well as conscious nutrition.
Accommodation & food
You will stay in 2-4 person tents in the nature experience area. Toilets, showers, a small kitchen for self-catering, and a recreation room are available on the premises. You will cook together. Money for food will be provided and contributed together with your leader. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible.
Location & leisure
You will live and work in Eutin, the cultural tourism centre of Holstein Switzerland, with its medieval town centre. In addition to the historic old town, the Great Eutin Lake with the beautiful Eutin Castle, the lakeside parks, the open-air swimming pool, various boat tours, and the Eutin Festival on the lake stage in the castle garden offer a range of leisure activities.
On weekends, trips to Kiel, Lübeck, Hamburg, or the Baltic Sea are worthwhile visits.
Project host
Erlebnis Natur e.V. (ERNA)
Founded 20 years ago to get children and young people excited about nature and to promote environmental education. The association offers various programmes for groups, run its own children's and youth group, and has created the extensive nature experience area ErNat(o)ur in Eutin with numerous learning and experience stations. The range of nature education topics includes the exploration of various biotopes, species protection and promotion, the sustainable use of our habitat, and conscious nutrition.
ijgd
The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest volunteer project organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people in volunteer projects in Germany and abroad. We give the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their true potential and strengths. Our principles include ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination, and political education.
Interested?
Enquire below and we'll connect you with one of our volunteering team to help you apply or answer any questions. We can help guide you through the process for a hassle free journey to your next project.