Restore Peatlands Morbach

Active for climate protection and biodiversity – save the peatlands in the Hunsrück area! You will actively contribute to protecting some special peatlands, which are situated on the slopes of the lower mountain range called “Hunsrück”. These areas were drained more than 100 years ago for forestry use but they are a valuable and natural Co2 storage. Therefore the revitalisation of these peatlands was started, Under the supervision of a Park Ranger you will improve the water balance in the moor areas in order to renature the moors, and also to help the moors to arrange better with the consequences of climate change. The measures will include closing some ditches as well as other small interventions to control the water flow. The work is expected to take place in two different Hunsrück peatland areas: A peatland forest area near the tiny village of Hochscheid and an area of open moorland near Morbach. As this one moor has been opened up for tourism, one task might be the closure of a ditch under a footbridge used along a hiking trail. This will make the revitalised moor more visible for hikers and offers the opportunity for environmental education activities. During the work and on some excursions, the park ranger will introduce you to many aspects of the ecological background. Be aware: The work might be physically hard and you will get wet and muddy for sure! Please bring hiking boots, rubber boots and working clothes.

You will stay in the community centre of Deuselbach. The accommodation is spacious, has a huge kitchen including a dish-washer and a living room, toilets, showers and a washing machine. There is one big sleeping room with camping beds. Volunteers will cook together and share kitchen and cleaning tasks. Wifi is available. Your group of volunteers will be responsible for grocery shopping and cooking together. The food will be bought with the camp budget and everybody will take turns for cooking, washing the dishes and cleaning. In order to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet, we encourage volunteers to reduce meat and try more sustainable dishes.

The camp will take place in the western part of the region Rhineland-Palatinate. You will stay in Deuselbach, a small village with 260 inhabitants. The local villagers are very much interested to welcome you. They are used to international volunteers, as they have hosted several international Workcamps since 2016. Deuselbach has one pub, no shops, but there will be plenty of activities or parties with locals. The next bigger village (Thalfang) is 5km away and you can find everything you need there. In addition, the region attracts many tourists who come for hiking (all year long) or skiing (in the winter). The next bigger city is Trier (40 km), the oldest German city with many Roman sights, a huge cathedral and plenty of things to do (walking through vineyard, shopping, clubs…). The landscape in this area is dominated by huge forests, steep hills, small brooks and ponds, rocks and marshes. Only small hamlets interrupt the nature, a perfect region for plenty of different species but also for hiking. You will really feel different here!