Land regeneration and abundant forest retreat in Alentejo, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  We are a meditation centre and off-grid land regeneration project, located on 90 Hectares of mostly forested hills, in SW Alentejo. Our aim is to to live in balance with nature, and to provide a supportive space for us and for others to practise meditation, Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga and Martial Arts, and for connecting deeply with nature.
  We have begun the work of restoring the forest, improving soils, increasing biodiversity and increasing the water-holding capacity of the land to halt the ongoing aridification.
  
  Projects:
  -Various areas transitioning to mixed productive agro-forestry with a lot of fruit and nut trees with biodiverse planting incorporating annual and perennial vegetable crops.
  -Water retention earthworks
  -Transforming eucalyptus monoculture areas to mixed timber biodiverse forest, whilst developing a wood business transforming eucalyptus timber into high quality furniture.
  -Regenerative management of cork oak forest to increase biodiversity and health of the forest and ourselves!
  - We always have various building projects on the go, using natural and local materials wherever possible.
  
  Our diet is mostly vegan and organic, free from junkfood, and based on fruit and vegetables.
  We are a no smoking and no alcohol environment.
  We are looking for volunteers who can be responsible and who appreciate the peace and quiet we offer here. We appreciate open and honest communication.
  It is the perfect place for someone who also wishes to deepen their own meditation, or who is really interested in learning or practising some Martial Arts or Qigong in their spare time. If meditation is not something you are interested in, it is probably not the place for you!
  We are 3-5 adults. A 7 year old and a 2 year old are often around.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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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

  Between us we have experience in systems design, off-grid living, building in wood and mud, computer software, running businesses, body-mind-spirit practises, health and diet, aromatic and medicinal plants, natural gardening, permaculture, distilling wild herbs, flower essences.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Depending on the time of year.....
  
  LAND
  Gardening, planting out, weeding, watering, seed saving, propagation.
  Strimming, clearing land.
  We always need help with forestry - clearing land, pruning trees, processing wood (chopping or chipping!).
  
  BUILDING
  We have some great natural building projects on-going, that you may have chance to help with.
  We have some small carpentry jobs for someone with experience.
  
  OTHER
  
  This autumn there is a lot of clearing out, moving things around, reorganising of spaces and also clearing up around the building site.
  Occasional child care.
  Help with translation from English into Portuguese or Spanish for our websites.
  Plant-based vegan food preperation
  Help with harvesting and distilling wild herbs

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Italian: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  A small caravan in the forest is the winter accommodation. It has a tiny wood stove to keep it warm and cosy. We provide sheets, pillows and pillow cases, and some blankets. It can get chilly at night, so if you have a warm sleeping bag do bring it, however if you do not have one, we can lend you more bedding. It is important to us that you are comfortable.
  The mini-dome (as seen in the photos) may also be available if there are no other guests.
  There are various tent options for the warmer months, located in the shade of the cork oak trees.
  There are shared hot showers and compost toilets. And a shared outdoor kitchen.
  There is also space for your own live-in vehicle.
  We provide a shared organic vegan meal in the early evening which you will sometimes help to prepare. Breakfast and lunch you will usually prepare for yourself with the food available.

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  What else ...

  We are 15 minutes from the train station and can pick-up for a cost of 10€. We are 25 minutes from the nearest town.
  There are lots of other communities and alternative projects in the area, with occasional local markets and get-togethers.
  We are 50 minutes drive from the wild beaches of the Atlantic Coast and there will be opportunities to got there.
  
  If you are nearby and wish to come for a day or two to see if a longer stay would be good, that usually works well.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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