Workcamp: Fostering Biodiversity in a Community Garden (Lake Constance)

Description: Help to protect the biodiversity in a community garden and learn to reconnect with nature. The Verbindungskultur e.V. is a place to develop learning experiences which foster a profound and authentic connection to nature, where sustainable ways of life are explored and practiced, and which promote peaceful and creative ways of being together – to create social change for the benefit of all beings. With this work camp, the biodiversity in the community garden at the place of the association „Verbindungskultur e.V.“ close to Lake Constance is now to be specifically promoted. To this end, we would like to enrich the existing permaculture garden with additional habitats for rare and/or specially adapted animal and plant species.

Type of Work: With our work, we will focus on species protection and the construction of so-called „nature modules“, i.e. small microhabitats that can increase and stabilize the biodiversity of a site, in this case of the „home“ our association. These nature modules include for example: dry stone walls, stone piles, stone pyramids, dead wood piles, wood cellars, sandariums, small water puddles, wildflowers, and many more. These increasingly rare habitats attract endangered species that can find a habitat here again. Furthermore, we want to improve the infrastructure of our seminar site, e.g. by building stairs and paths, possibly also handicapped access. The tasks will mainly be accomplished with physical labor, but there will also be theoretical input on the nature garden idea.

Study Theme: SCI; biodiversity in nature gardens; Permaculture; Nature Connection; Culture of Belonging; Compassionate, peaceful and empathic communication

Depending on the participants’ interests, other themes are also possible.

In addition to the practical work and the study parts, the work camp will be designed in a way that supports the growth of intense social bonds within the international volunteer team and beyond, promoting peace on a personal and collective level.

Accommodation: In own tents (please bring your own tent, your sleeping mat and sleeping bag), if needed indoor-facilities are possible. There is an outdoor kitchen, compost toilets, solar shower, and a cozy heated yurt as a community space (built by previous SCI volunteers).

We will cook together as a group – in our kitchen tent and sometimes, if you are interested, on the campfire. We will prepare mainly plant-based delicacies from as much as possible regional-seasonal ingredients , which will nourish body and soul after work 🙂

Language: The common language will be English. In the team of Verbindungskultur e.V. there are also contact persons with knowledge of French, Spanish and Russian (as well as German as a native language).

Requirements: Openness to and interest in ecological gardening; willingness to do physical work and teamwork; joy in being with others; desire to be outdoors with simple infrastructure (tents, composting toilets, solar shower).