European Wilderness Volunteer DiaryThe Diary of the European Wilderness Society Volunteers

Author - Jonas Sommer

Wilderness Diary Jonas-31071.jpg - © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

My advice: Make plans … and then change them

In January 2019, when I first heard of the European Wilderness Society, I did not plan that I would be in little Tamsweg in the middle of a pandemic in February 2021. Back then, I was in the South African desert during the hottest time of summer researching small rodents. Now I am amongst four different ski resorts in the Alps – the temperature difference between the....

A turbulent start to the Covid-19 lockdown

Last time you heard from us, the world was still a different one. We were in the midst of the skiing saison, the busiest time of the year in the Lungau. We enjoyed the slopes, great weather and busyness that the tourists bring with them. My last skiing trip before the shut down Until the beginning of March, we thought we would have a regular winter. That would mean....

Wilderness Diary Jonas-31079.jpg - © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Overtime in Tamsweg

When I last wrote something on here, it was still the beginning of winter. I had just had my first taste of the infamous Krampuslauf in Tamsweg and still had to catch up on my skiing skills after a few years of absence from the slopes. Now, three months later, I had a winter full of picturesque snowy landscapes, winter sports and work. Winter in Tamsweg A week after....

Krampuslauf and visitors in Tamsweg

Ziva has told already told you how we joined the Climate strike and explored the christmas market of Salzburg. But that was not the end of that weekend. Abigail and Andi joined us in Tamsweg until Sunday morning to witness the famous Krampuslauf in Tamsweg. Please read: Ziva and I joined Fridays for Future in Salzburg After all the marching and standing in the cold....

What does the witch-hunt have to do with climate change

This text was written by two of the students, that participated in our Youth Green Conference.Author: Natalia Savko – student from UkraineTranslated by Anastasiia Banoi - student from Ukraine On the very beginning of October, a group of Ukrainian kids, NGO representatives, environmentalists and decision-makers took part in the Youth Green Conference 2019 about....

My week at the EU

While the others showed kids how respects insects, I attended the “EU week of regions and cities” at the EU headquarters in Brussels. Even though Tamsweg is a lovely place, it´s always great to make a trip and this was a special one. As an IVY volunteer, I had the chance to attend this event with a group of nine other volunteers. I didn´t really know what....

WILDArt Majella 2019- 27085.jpeg - © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

WILD times in Majella

After getting settled in Tamsweg and exploring the surroundings with my great new colleagues, it was time for my first wild adventure with the European Wilderness Society. At first, I only knew that after two months in the Lungau (and a short trip to Triglav) I would go back home to Frankfurt for the first time to attend my friend´s wedding. I had no idea that the....

Triglav Wilderness-25659.jpg - © European Wilderness Society CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

A rough arrival, but smooth start

My name is Jonas, I am one of the many new volunteers of the European Wilderness Society. I had my arrival in Tamsweg on the 30th of June to start my volunteer period here one day later. I chose one of the hottest days of the year to travel to Tamsweg from my parents’ place in Frankfurt, Germany. So instead of a smooth train ride, I had to endure a cancelled train, a....