Great Baikal Trail Building Projects

  Russia

Baikalsk,  Irkutsk,  Slyudyanka,  Ulan-Ude

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: late May to mid-September

Description: Earth Island and its Russian partners are helping build the Great Baikal Trail, a 2000 kilometer trail that will connect 3 national parks and 3 nature reserves around the biggest lake in the world! It will also connect this part of Siberia with the nearby Mongolian highlands. We are looking for international summer volunteers to spend 2-4 weeks over at Baikal this summer and next, hearty and adventure-loving folks who will team up with local Russians to build some 3-4 kilometers of new trail at each site.

Volunteers will be living in local home-stays, dormitories, or tents, depending on the site. All equipment and supplies provided by the Great Baikal Trail Association, in addition to all training and orientation. Ten days of work at each site, about 5-6 hours on the trail each day, with a weekend to enjoy the lake in between. Trail sites are all located in pristine, sometimes remote areas of the national parks here.

Highlights: Each of the 25 project sites will have a team of 5-8 international volunteers and an equal number of local Russian volunteers. Interpreters will be provided to make sure that all the Russian and English-speaking participants can work together efficiently and enjoy each other's company.

Qualifications: Each volunteer should be able to speak either Russian or English. No other previous experience required.

Cost in US$: USD 250 for each 2-week project

In special cases, the USD 250 fee can be waived, and the costs of a Russian visa (usually around USD 100) can be covered by the Great Baikal Trail Association.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Typical volunteer for the Great Baikal Trail is of good health, with a lot of enthusiasm for the outdoors and the environment, as well as a desire to bring peoples and cultures closer together.

Age Range: 18 and older

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Russia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 12-18 per team

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earth Island Institute's Mission Statement: Earth Island Institute supports projects that counteract threats to the biological and cultural diversity that sustain our environment. Through education and activism, these projects promote the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the Earth.

Year Founded: 1981