Join me in the forest and learn about maintaining a healthy ecosystem on São Miguel Island, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  My name is Hervé, and I’ve been living on the island for several years. I love nature and sailing, and this project reflects my wish to care for the land while creating a welcoming place for people.
  
  The property is located in a neighborhood that takes its name from the surrounding forest, nestled on the north side of the island. While the area is residential rather than rural, the forest itself plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere and character of the place. The land offers a strong sense of connection to nature while still being part of an established community.
  
  My focus is on forest management, land regeneration, and trail restoration, with the aim of maintaining a healthy ecosystem for both wildlife and people. This is a long-term, evolving project that combines hands-on outdoor work with a slower, nature-based lifestyle.
  
  Much of the work involves reclaiming and maintaining hiking paths, removing invasive alien plants such as kahili ginger and butterfly bush, and propagating plants to frame and stabilize the trails. Over time, the project also includes developing a kitchen garden, including soil preparation, seeding, and ongoing care.
  
  I enjoy hosting people who are independent, respectful, and genuinely interested in nature and outdoor work. The exchange is based on trust, shared responsibility, and appreciation for a simple, grounded way of living.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Carpentry

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animals

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  With different cultural backgrounds, creating a community where everyone can learn from one another and share their perspectives is a wonderful key aspect of this project. Our 6-bedroom house, dedicated entirely to volunteers, offers a warm, comfortable, and newly renovated space where people can live together, collaborate, and build meaningful connections. Here, cultural exchange happens naturally.. over shared meals, teamwork, and the experience of caring for the forest side by side.
  We hope we can mentor you in the knowledge about the forest and task like propagation and planting and are excited what we can learn from you.

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  Help

  I welcome self-sufficient, enthusiastic, and reliable people who enjoy working outdoors, don’t mind variable weather, and feel comfortable with physical, hands-on work in nature. This project suits people who appreciate being active, working as part of a small team, and contributing to something long-term and meaningful.
  
  The main help needed is related to forest care and trail maintenance. Typical tasks include:
  • Clearing and maintaining hiking paths
  • Removing invasive alien plants such as kahili ginger and butterfly bush
  • Propagating and planting vegetation to stabilize and frame trails
  • Basic land and forest maintenance
  • Helping with the gradual development of a kitchen garden (soil preparation, seeding, planting, and general upkeep)
  
  All tasks are explained hands-on, and no prior experience is required.. just a willingness to learn, follow guidance, and work carefully with the land. Some days involve physical work such as digging, cutting, carrying, or working on uneven terrain.
  
  Work is generally done outdoors, and weather can change quickly, so flexibility is important. Safety, teamwork, and respect for nature are always priorities.
  
  If you’re looking to be involved in a hands-on project immersed in nature, enjoy learning practical skills, and value meaningful exchange over comfort or routine, you’ll feel at home here on São Miguel.
  
  The work can be physically demanding at times and takes place mostly in a forest environment with uneven terrain. A basic level of fitness, independence, and adaptability is important to fully enjoy and benefit from the experience.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Our dedicated 6-bedroom volunteer house is newly renovated and designed for comfortable shared living. It features a spacious kitchen, inviting communal areas, and several bathrooms for convenience. Outside, volunteers can relax in outdoor seating areas, enjoy a shared BBQ, and spend time in the garden with banana and avocado trees and even with friendly chickens.
  
  Best of all, the house is within walking distance of the project site, the supermarket, and the town square, making daily life easy, connected, and enjoyable.
  
  We will provide you with the essentials as bedding / towels & a full equipped kitchen to prepare your meals, you can harvest herbs and bananas from the garden and collect eggs from the backyard chickens…we encourage to use the garden to plant and tend to vegetables, so everyone can share fresh goodness
  
  The meals will be shared or we will supply all what's needed to allow the Workawayers to cook for themselves. Bread and/or porridge for breakfast, balanced picnic at lunch and hot meal for dinner.
  
  We will offer the new comfortable house. General staples as sugar / salt / spices etc will also be obviously equipped.

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  What else ...

  Workawayers will enjoy long weekends to explore the island, travel to other islands in the archipelago, or simply immerse themselves in the beautiful forests, local festivities, and the many wonders of the outdoors. It’s the perfect balance of meaningful work and unforgettable adventure.
  We will give you directions and ideas to make your stay even more memorable -
  We know all the hidden spots and gems of Sao Miguel and are happy to share all our knowledge and contacts to make this stay unforgettable.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Chickens

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