Restauração ecológica - Ecological restoration
Castelo Branco
PT
Idanha-à-vida é um projeto socio ecológico que visa o restauro da natureza no seu todo.
São 1700ha de área, na qual nos focamos na água, no solo, e em todos os seres vivos.
Temos também uma base, na qual chamamos "Eira" que é o nosso local de lazer, mas também onde todas as ideias nascem, e onde estamos a implementar a nossa food forest.
Temos galinhas, minhocas, cães, árvores e muita gente boa, que adora o que faz e que sabe acolher muito bem.
Trabalhos na horta;
Restauro ecológico;
Gestão de água;
Compostagem;
Tarefas relacionadas com a quinta.
O nosso dia começa às 8h no inverno e um pouco mais cedo no verão. Temos uma equipa especializada que vai todos os dias, de segunda a sexta, para implementar e dar continuidade ao projeto de regeneração da natureza da área.
Uma das tarefas será acompanhar as nossas equipas nas mais diversas intervenções ecológicas no terreno, assim como tarefas relacionadas com a manutenção e limpeza dos espaços comuns, e tarefas na horta.
Serão 5 dias por semana (Standard) com cerca de 6h de tarefas planeadas, depois disso, será auto gestão do tempo, sempre com a compreensão de que continuamos com equipas no terreno a trabalhar e que necessitamos de alguma coordenação.
Almoçamos todos juntos, com deliciosas refeições vegetarianas, feitas pela nossa magnifica equipa.
Além dos trabalhos ecológicos temos também de tratar da nossa horta e animais.
O alojamento será numa das casas moveis, assim como existe a possibilidade de acampar e observar o céu estrelado.
Temos casa de banho seca, chuveiros e zonas de lazer para desfrutar.
A casas moveis estão equipadas com camas, chuveiro e cozinha. Trás o teu saco cama, ou podemos providenciar lençois e cobertores, mas estarás responsável pela lavagem e cuidado dos mesmos.
Nas redondezas temos sítios mágicos para descobrir, caminhadas na natureza, mergulhos no rio, e um céu estrelado que nos faz brilhar.
Estamos bem perto das aldeias mais históricas de Portugal, Monsanto e Idanha-a-Velha, onde poderão admirar paisagens históricas e tradições.
UK
Idanha-a-Vida is a socio-ecological project that aims to restore nature as a whole.
There are 1700ha of area, in which we focus on water, soil, and all living beings.
We also have a base, which we call "Eira" which is our leisure area, but also where all ideas are born, and where we are implementing our food forest.
We have chickens, worms, dogs, trees and a lot of good people, who love what they do and are very welcoming.
Works in the garden;
Ecological restoration;
Water management;
Composting;
Farm related tasks.
Our day starts at 8am in winter and a little earlier in summer. We have a specialised team that goes out every day, from Monday to Friday, to implement and continue the project of regenerating the nature of the area.
One of the tasks will be to accompany our teams in various ecological interventions in the field, as well as tasks related to the maintenance and cleaning of the common spaces, and tasks in the vegetable garden.
It will be 5 days a week (Standard) with about 6h of tasks planned, after that, it will be self management of time, always with the understanding that we still have teams on the ground working and that we need some coordination.
We all have lunch together, with delicious vegetarian meals, made by our wonderful team.
Besides the ecological work we also have to take care of our vegetable garden and animals.
The accommodation will be in one of the mobile homes, as well as the possibility to camp and watch the starry sky.
We have dry toilets, showers and leisure areas to enjoy.
The mobile homes are equipped with beds, shower and kitchen facilities. Bring your sleeping bag, or we can provide sheets and blankets, but you will be responsible for their washing and care.
Nearby there are magical places to discover, nature walks, dips in the river, and a starry sky that makes you glow.
We are very close to the most historical villages of Portugal, Monsanto and Idanha-a-Velha, where you can admire historical landscapes and traditions.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Beekeeping
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
1,700
Hectares
|
4,200.8
Acres
Accommodation
Team
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 95%
Response time: typically within 3 days
Castelo Branco
Estação Castelo Branco
Reviews
Clara
France
•
March 2026
Nous avons adoré notre woofing à Idanha-a-Vida!! Nous étions très contents de participer à ce projet plein de sens, et ce avec de merveilleuses personnes. Nous nous sommes sentis très bien intégrés au projet et nous avons appris beaucoup ! Encore merci à tous et à toutes pour votre accueil, votre chaleur et vos partages. Au plaisir que nos chemins se recroisent!!!
Ricarda
Germany
•
January 2026
I'm so glad I found this project! I stayed for three weeks in december and I learned new things about native trees, bushfire protection and restoring land. There is so much more to learn in this project that I hope I will come back soon. I also learned more portuguese words than I expected which was thanks to very patient and energetic collegues. And I got an insight into the rural life and the local community of this area which I'm very grateful for. It was a pleasure to go to the field every morning with a bunch of motivated and lovely people and do all sorts of work. There was mulching the garden, digging trenches on the dirtroads, collecting seeds, sowing seeds and even a public treeplanting event. The lunch with all the team in the cosy stonehouse was a daily highlight. Thanks to all the team for welcoming me and integrating me in your daily routine.
Read more
Reply from Team
Ricarda it was so lovely to have you here with us. Thanks for all the hard work, the laughs, for challenging us on baking Stollen and soo much more. Hope to see you again soon
Nikolas
Germany
•
October 2025
Foi uma experiência incrível. Eu gostei bastante de trabalhar e viver ao campo de Eira. Obrigado a todo a equipa e particularmente a Maria e Pedro para também mostrar muito paciência com um alemão que aprendeu português haha.
Reply from Team
Foi um prazer ter-te cá Nikolas. Foste um
óptimo aluno de português e a tua energia foi muito boa durante toda a estadia. Abraço da equipa
Pascal
Germany
•
December 2024
One of my best Wwoofing experiences!!! During my 6 weeks stay in Idanha Velha I had the chance to participate in different tasks like cutting eucalyptus, creating different types of water retention systems, seeding wheat the old school way, harvest olives, making wood chips, helping to renovate an old camper and much more things. Flávio and his team make sure to explain all tasks and also the “bigger picture” sufficiently, but asking questions is possible at any time. Besides the fact that I could learn during my stay I was given responsibility to do tasks on my own and I was asked about my opinion about things or problems to be solved.
The best thing about the project Idanha-a-Vida is however the team itself. Every person of the team is a real gem and there are lots of possibilities to get in touch with the team members, may it be during the delicious meals, after work in the cafe of the town or on the weekend at one of the markets in and around Idanha-a-Velha. I had a great time with you all and I hope to come back sometime!!
Read more
Valerie
Netherlands
•
October 2024
Five stars! We (Valerie and Marije) stayed and worked at Idanha-à-Vida in November/December 2023 (apparently it took us a while to get over the saying goodbye to this place and write a review ;), our apologies).
Overall, the project is doing amazing work and the ambitions truly inspired us. The ecological restoration part covers a large area (we miss the 4x4 rides into the field), is supported with a scientific team (thanks for the lectures) and engages the community (amazing bread baking festivities with the village people)! The diversity of people working on the team makes Idanha an even more unique place.
Besides the ecological restoration part of the project and the field work cutting eucalyptus trees, we spent a lot of hard-working and fun hours on the olive harvest. What a process! Climbing trees, disco vibes while sorting, and above all, taking the olives to the press! We can definitately recommend you to join Idanha-à-Vida during this time of the year.
So much more to say: but in sum, thank you team for having us and taking us on the Idanha-à-Vida journey <3
Read more
Julia
Austria
•
October 2024
Idanha-à-Vida is an incredibly inspiring project, and the team is just super empowering! I spent three weeks in September (off-season) and every day was different. We fixed the wall and roof of a caravan, harvested fruit, went to the project area and took water samples, worked in the veggie garden (weeding and composting) and dived deep into the fascinating world of honey bees. We also had the chance to meet the lovely ladies from the nearby town, who showed us how to do some traditional craftwork. The location of the project is remote, but even more beautiful! On the weekends, we explored the gorgeous town of Monsanto and went for a swim at the Barragem. My whole experience was shaped by the welcoming team who made it easy to feel at home. Thank you for the delicious, healthy food, for the inspiring conversations, and for all your warm hearts!
Read more
