Getting to know young people from all over Europe, spending two weeks in the idyllic Weinviertel and at the same time making a hands-on contribution to biodiversity – that was the Green Belt Camp 2024. From 7 to 21 September, the camp once again brought together international volunteers, organised by Service Civil International Austria and the Naturschutzbund Niederösterreich.
This year, participants travelled from countries such as Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Finland, Germany, France, Switzerland and even Brazil. What united them was the motivation to protect the rare and species-rich dry grasslands of the Weinviertel cliff zone – unique habitats that are only preserved through regular care and management.
The camp began with two days full of games and workshops to get to know each other and to learn more about the Green Belt Europe and the importance of dry grassland habitats. Afterwards, the real work began: day by day the group moved from one site to another, where they cut and cleared meadows, removed invasive plants such as black locust and carried out essential management tasks to protect butterflies, grasshoppers and other endangered species.
Of course, camp life also meant community and fun. Whoever was on kitchen duty prepared dinner for everyone at the camp and enjoyed the company of “Kellerkåtz” the cat. On the free days, there was no shortage of adventures – from a medieval festival in Eggenburg to excursions in Retz and a day trip to Mikulov in the Czech Republic. A special highlight was the camping stay in Poysdorf: with proper showers and a bathing pond, it was the perfect refreshment after the hard work in the fields.
The evenings were filled with music, games and laughter, and many friendships were formed across borders. As one participant put it: “We came here to protect nature, but we are also leaving with unforgettable memories and new friends from all over the world.”
After two weeks of teamwork, sweat and joy, the Green Belt Camp 2024 came to a close with a big farewell evening full of dancing, music and champagne. Even though saying goodbye was hard, the shared experience of preserving biodiversity in the Weinviertel will remain with everyone – proof that nature conservation works best when people from many countries come together.
External Sources: MeinBezirk
