European Wilderness Volunteer Diary

The Diary of the European Wilderness Society Volunteers
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Volunteering at European Wilderness Society

Hi! We are writing from Tamsweg, Austria, where the European Wilderness Society is based. While Rebecca was the first volunteer, who wrote the earlier blog posts, the rest of us volunteers have taken up her mantle to keep this blog going. Here we write about the personal aspects of volunteering life and the adventures we get up to. In the office we each have differing roles but as a team we are all focused in helping each other, in order to meet the mission of making Europe wild again. Here you’ll read about our adventures in the mountains alongside office work and trips further afield.

Our destinations

One Year in Austria: A Volunteering Journey to Remember

1 month agoLika kvizhashvili2 min readAdd comment

It’s hard to believe that 12 months have flown by! My time living in Austria has come to an end, which also means the conclusion of my volunteering experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of it—meeting incredible people, traveling, and learning so much along the way.   Volunteering with the European Wilderness Society gave me the chance to work on nature conservation and environmental protection projects—topics that are more relevant than ever as climate change impacts us all. My role was dynamic and tailored to my skills, from writing publications about nature....

On-Arrival training: A spring awakening in Grünau im Almtal

2 months agoLika kvizhashvili4 min readAdd comment

This post is written by Yaryna Misyk. As the first days of spring gently unfolded in the picturesque village of Grünau im Almtal in Upper Austria, a unique and enriching experience began for 19 international volunteers. The On-Arrival Training, which commenced on March 3 and spanned four days, proved to be a vibrant mix of learning, cultural exchange, and exploration. From the very first moment, it became clear that these days would not only be formative but also incredibly memorable. A journey of learning and connection The training program kicked off with an engaging combination of formal....

Festive lights and environmental insights: A December of volunteering and learning

4 months agoLika kvizhashvili2 min readAdd comment

This post is written by Yaryna Misyk. As the crisp chill of November faded and the festive spirit of December settled in, I found myself immersed in the hustle and bustle of pre-holiday preparations, with one important distinction: I was volunteering. It was a month brimming with challenges and rewards, particularly as I became involved in an incredibly engaging project—the ALFAwetlands initiative. The ALFAwetlands project was not just another task on a crowded to-do list. It was a unique opportunity to dive deep into the intricacies of wetland protection and management, a subject that piqued....

A November to remember: My first month in Tamsweg

5 months agoLika kvizhashvili2 min readAdd comment

This post is written by Yaryna Misyk. My first month in Tamsweg was a serene and memorable experience. November, often considered an in-between month, unfolded with a quiet charm that felt refreshing. It is late autumn, and the festive energy of December has yet to arrive, leaving the streets tranquil and unhurried. This calmness seemed to cover the town, offering a peaceful rhythm that invited reflection and exploration. Forest Walks and Mountain Rivers I spent a lot of my time wandering through the nearby forests, which are truly enchanting. The trees, tall and....

Embracing New Experiences: My On-Arrival Training with the European Solidarity Corps

6 months agoJana Kögst3 min readAdd comment

Introduction Starting a volunteering journey with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) was both exciting and a bit daunting. To kick off this experience, I joined an on-arrival training that brought together 20 volunteers from across Austria—Salzburg, Linz, Vorarlberg, Vienna, and Styria. Over four days, we bonded over shared experiences, explored our projects, discussed challenges, and enjoyed Austrian culture. Meeting Volunteers from Across Europe One of the highlights was the diversity of our group. Volunteers came from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, North....

Arriving in Tamsweg: My First Weeks with the European Wilderness Society

22 October 2024Jana Kögst1 min readAdd comment

Moving to Tamsweg from Germany has been an adjustment. The town is quiet and secluded. Without a car, I walk everywhere, which gives me plenty of time to explore. I’ve found a cozy spot by the river. It’s become one of my favorite places, though I usually save my visits for the weekends when I can relax more. Volunteering at the European Wilderness Society has been engaging but challenging. The Apollo butterfly conservation project requires a lot of focus. Managing habitats and understanding the legal details, like Natura 2000, keeps me busy. The job is interesting, but sometimes the amount....

  • 6 Volunteers so far
  • 7 Countries visited
  • 120 km Kilometres hiked
  • 30 + Diary entries