Group report
The four-week placement provided participants with a variety of experiences, both practical and recreational, within the naturpark and its surrounding areas. These included wildlife and conservation related work, as well as forestry and arboriculture tasks and cultural education which together produced an all-encapsulating internship experience. The following report documents an overview of the tasks completed and suggests areas for improvement as well as an appraisal of our favourite aspects.
Tasks completed
Fruit meadow - formative pruning, scything, re-staking trees and water retention for trees. Assisting local primary school students set up bird boxes. Dam maintenance – sealing and rebuilding damaged damn system using stones and clay and plastic sheet. Preparation and installation of larch stakes to dam structure. Forest shelters – maintenance and repair using bituminous roof sheeting and wood planks Heathland restoration – removal of scrub and encroaching tree shoots Forestry – felling of larch trees and stripping of bark Conservation - Maintenance of willow whips for beaver habitat Traditional handcraft skills – soap making and pottery Firewatch systems experience and tuition Hoopoe box construction – hollowing white pine for nesting habitat, followed by further assembly at naturpark house Flower meadow – baling of cut hay to support plant communities in meadow Identification of species, exploring habitats, and natural technology (pump) Festival set up – arranging site for international chainsaw carving competition
Cultural exchange
Partook in community events – village fair, clearing heathland with crane society, naturpark haus barbeque Tour of disused mine – visited natural history museum, visit maze and gardens, visit tower Craft fair – live music, local craftspeople, traditional food Nature walks with residents and visitors Trips to Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin, organised by hosts and independently Visited sawmill Tour around Bad Duben flour mill and windmill River Mulde boat trip Interviews with local journalists
Highlights
Swimming in wild lakes Chainsaw carving competition Contact with Phil, local British expat who runs sustainable agriculture projects and food cooperative General exploration of new and species-specific habitats Detailed and enthusiastic tour of local windmill with thoughtful workshops Getting lost and completely soaked in the confusion garden! Trampolining in Leipzig
In four weeks, we have had the opportunity to see richly diverse habitats and their conservation systems and management in action. We have met the people who instigate action and change in the Dubener Heide as well as witness conservation processes from beginning to end (felling and preparing larch, building dam). However the most significant part of the trip has been the feeling of being taken in by a community of passionate individuals, that have made a real effort to show us both traditional and modern aspects of German culture.
