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Support rewilding efforts to restore native forests in Algarve, Portugal

Portugal
Last activity : 3 May 2025

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Host rating
65 %
Last replied
18 Mar 2025
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1
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Availability

2025

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

Description
"Hi, I’m Erwin, originally from the Netherlands. After exploring the world, I found my home in the stunning town of Aljezur in the southwest Algarve. While I love surfing—especially with the great waves here—what really drew me to this place is the natural beauty, open space, and healthy lifestyle it offers. I live on a 75-hectare piece of land, which has so much potential. I’m here full-time, sharing this incredible environment with my 10-year-old son, 8-year-old daughter and our 2-year old dog.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
...
...
What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You'll experience firsthand how simple it can be to live off-grid and discover how little is needed to thrive in nature while allowing nature to thrive as well. During your stay, you'll experience what it takes to 'rewild' at large and learn about the importance of protecting and restoring native forests. This offers a unique insight into how nature knows best and how natural succession is key to restoring ecosystems on a larger scale. All necessary equipment is provided, and guidance on its use is available.
Help
Our focus is on rewilding—actively supporting natural succession to restore indigenous forests. This approach is vital for replenishing aquifers, enhancing biodiversity, and safeguarding against forest fires.

Our key tasks include:

-Controlling and removing invasive species saplings.
-Felling, pruning, and chipping invasive tree species to provide space, light, and water for native ones.
-Creating and maintaining walk paths.
-Caring for the small food forest near the house.
-Maintaining roads and land boundaries."
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Portuguese: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
A cozy, fully-equipped off-grid wooden house with a mezzanine. It features an outdoor deck, along with an outdoor shower and bath. Immersed in nature, yet, conveniently close to town and beautiful beaches.
What else ...
Time off is well spent in the ocean, hiking, cycling, in nature and on and around the stunning beaches.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is proper 4G reception on the land. The big(ger) space at the lake has a Starlink connection that can be used if needed for larger data stuff.
Space for parking camper vans
Smaller vans are more suitable because the dirtroad has bumpy parts. There is plenty of space 'up the hill' All cars make it up but it is not recommended to do it on a daily base or with a big campervan. At entering the land there is a flat spot for bigger vans.
Can possibly accept pets
Dog, cat, donkey or horse, all good.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two

Host ref number: 787432338574

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Feedback (1)

4 Jan 2025

Left by Workawayer (Alison & Doug) for host

Erwin was such a great host for us. He was welcoming, interesting to talk to and really easy to get along with. He's is great fun to hang out with (and has quite possibly the coolest kids) but also gave us the time and space to be independent. He trusted us to get on with stuff when he was busy and gave us everything we needed to get the job done.… read more We intended to stay for 2 weeks but ended up extending for another week or so as we were having such a good time! It was honestly perfect for us.

He showed us around his land and shared his experience of rewilding. It was great to see real-life examples of what rewilding techniques worked and what didn't (natural succession for the win!). The work was varied and substantial, providing good opportunities to learn new skills (I was delighted to have the opportunity to up my digger game!), get our hands dirty and get a sweat on. Erwin has a lot going on so there wasn't a fixed schedule for work, which worked for us as we are pretty flexible and easy-going. Every week or so he'd pop over to the cabin and we'd make a plan for work for that week. Sometimes it was just a few hours a few days a week, sometimes we were able to crack on for a whole day and get something substantial underway. It certainly made me realise how much there was to do with so much land!

In terms of what we did - we did some rennovation inside the cabin, taking down a wall and some shelving, removing flooring and tiles, and clearing out the place after the last guy left. On the land we dug trenches, laid and buried water pipes; cut down invasive tree species, peeled Eucalyptus bark; hauled logs and cut planks - It felt like we were really helping, not just doing busy work.

In terms of accommodation, we stayed in the comfortable 1 bedroom cabin surrounded by a permaculture garden. It has a large deck with outdoor shower and bath and views overlooking the valley and hills. It is beautiful. We had the place to ourselves and as Erwin's place is 800m or so down the hill it felt really secluded. There's a decent kitchen in the property and we took care of our own food. Aljezur is just 10min down the road with intermarche where you can get everything you need and tons of beautiful beaches in the area.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is independent, capable and willing to get stuck in. We will most certainly be back next time we are in that neck of the woods!

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