BTCV’s work in Iceland

Conservation Holidays
Each summer a programme of Conservation Holidays is organised in partnership with Iceland's Environment Agency. These projects take place throughout the country in national parks and nature reserves though much of our work is focused on management in popular tourist areas. Eight projects are planned for 2004 which will include work in Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur National Parks, as well as Mývatn and Fjallabak Nature Reserves. The programme is an important part of the Environment Agency's (Umhverfisstofnun) management of these protected areas.

More about the Iceland Conservation Holiday programme.

A special project in Fjallabak Nature Reserve combines trail work with trekking trips between mountain huts in the area. A new project in Skaftafell National Park will focus on restoration work on turf buildings in the park and there is also a new four week project for long term volunteers in 2004, that includes work on remote sites in the south east of the country.

Volunteer Officer Team

BTCV’s work in Iceland is supported by a team of Volunteer Officers (VOs) during the summer months. VOs have two main roles during this eleven week prgramme. Some work with the international volunteer groups and are invoved in every aspect of these projects from leading teams, organising food, planning days off and providing logistical support. more…

Iceland Trail Teams

The second role of VOs is with the Iceland trail teams. This programme was started in 2003. The teams travel throughout Iceland and work on a series of trail maintenance projects within the protected areas. The Iceland VO programme is organised in partnership with the Environment Agency and the teams work closely with the national park and reserve staff. more…

Local Projects

BTCV runs a series of projects each year in partnership with Icelandic institutions and volunteers. In 2003 this included projects in Skaftafell and Fjallabak. The aim of this work is to encourage local volunteer involvement in the management of Iceland's protected areas.

Iceland training programme

Since the establishment of the Iceland office in 2000, BTCV has increased its emphasis on the provision of training and skills development. The training programme is run in partnership with local colleges and universities. BTCV is also working with international student placements in Iceland.