Landcare - regenerative gardening and agroforestry
Associação Waking Life
Crato, Portugal
Description
This program revolves around soil regeneration via permaculture and syntropic agroforestry techniques. We are reviving 30 hectares of degraded land to serve as a model for eco living and provide ways to ensure food and water security for the current and the next generation by implementing innovative planting techniques such as Syntropic agriculture. This agroforestry technique advocates cooperation in nature as opposed to competition and highlights the role of diversity in creating a healthy ecosystem. The site is being transformed into a public park filled with biodiversity and a green playground for hosting our yearly music and art festival. You will be participating in various activities such as creating and maintaining agroforestry systems, organic gardening, regenerative landscaping. You will also take part of cultural and community events such as listening sessions, collective cooking, local market or other events for the local community.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
ACCOMMODATION Tipis with electricity and beds, located around the Lake. In the fall and winter, we have a heated house (with kitchen, living room, bathrooms) in the village. FACILITIES Showers with warm water and compost toilets. Filtered drinking water Washing machine. FOOD Three meals a day are cooked with food sourced as much as possible from our own garden and local producers. Free drinking water, coffee, plant-based milk and various teas are available 24/7. TRANSPORT Daily bus and train to Lisbon and Porto. Car sharing is facilitated. Bicycles available for use.
Training during the activity
You will join a team of passionates taking you on a deep dive into reviving barren land through alternative agroforestry technics. You will learn about: - rewilding, renaturation of streams - agroforestry technics - hydration of the landscape, water security - the design and set-up of a small scale organic farming and food-processing model to achieve self-sufficiency and food sovereignty in order to sustain the onsite community during the year - rural social landscape - community living dynamics - community care We will provide english language support if needed.
Participant profile
Interested in learning about plants and building vibrant ecosystems? Not afraid to get your hands dirty and melt your sweat with soil? Ready to join a big community of beings living, working and celebrating together? That sounds like your cup of t(r)ea! Curious mind and committed physical condition is highly recommended 🙂
Activity dates
A total of 54 week(s) during the period 01/10/2024 to 01/06/2026
Activity location
Barragem das nascentes, Crato, Portugal
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Activity topics
Social challenges
Disaster prevention and recovery
Environment and natural protection
Creativity and culture
Nutrition and subsistence agriculture
Deadline for applications
Application deadline: 26/01/2026 16:20