Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "study/educational" project in Serbia

Stara Planina (Balkan mountain or „Old mountain“) is situated in eastern Serbia, on the border between Serbia and Bulgaria and represents the biggest protected nature reserve in the country. In spite of its natural value, the Serbian Government is planning to build here a massive ski-resort on one of the tops of the mountain which is also very rich with plants and animal life. Particularly endangered are peat-meadow plants, mostly endemic and relict, which are growing on the place where the ski-resort is planned to be built. More info, on Serbian language can be found on the www.staraplanina.rs.
If there are people interested in the scientific or ecological researches on various subjects (need to be informed earlier), they can join the expedition „Stara Planina 2009“ which will be comprised by biology, ecology, geology, tourism and archaeology students.

Volunteers will work primarily on the eradication of one invasive plant species, the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) which overgrew in one of the gorges on the mountain inside the Toplodolska Reka river gorge nearby the village Temska. Work will comprise hard labour in the, sometimes steep, slopes of the Toplodoska River gorge. Also, volunteers will be able to join (depending on their interest) the active research together with members of the expedition „Stara Planina 2009“.

There will be organised many other activities – village nightlife, rural activities, workshops, making of anti-ski resort material, eco-tourism capacities development...really many things!!!

In the local school's flor, tents or in private accomodation in village Temska. Also some other smaller camps across the mountain, volunteer need to be prepared for all types of accommodation. Food will be prepared by the volunteers.

Pirot, Naisus.

Volunteers interested in research need to be prepared for the subject of their research (biodiversity, geology, archeolgy, toursim capacities,...), have some experience in field-working.

This is a very remote part of Serbia and Europe, so an event like this one will be very popular. Sense of team work and humour are more than welcome! Not accessible for wheel chairs.

20 € to be paid on arrival.