ELF

In Karula National Park the main work is mowing the wooded meadows along side with a local farmer. Mostly - the raking and taking hay off the meadow. Wooded meadows are traditional semi-natural communities that few hundred years ago were widespread in the countries around the Baltic Sea. They are sparse natural wooded areas with regularly mown herb layer where the characteristic appearance and species composition preserves only as a result of traditional agricultural activities: mowing or/and grazing. In terms of appearance and ecological conditions, wooded meadows are similar to parks, yet are considerably older and initially arose from natural communities.On Osmussaare the work will take place on alvars. Practically it consists of the cutting and collection of brushwood, mainly junipers. This is important habitat protection work. Alvars can most simply be described as limestone-rich meadows with shallow soil, which generally lack trees and bushes. The thickness of the soil layer is generally up to twenty centimetres, yet in places soil may be almost completely absent and vegetation is then found only in fissures in the limestone and in smaller depressions.Typical working hours per day 6 hours per day (for example: 9 -12 and 13-16). The working plan is as follows:14.08 - arrival at Karula16.-17.08 - hay making in Karula17.08 - day off to explore Karula18.-19.08 - work in Karula continues 20. 08 - day off, travel to Osmussaare22.-23.08 - restoration of alvar in Osmussaare, evenings off to explore island 24.08 - afternoon departure