#128

[@ProjectKamp]

help coding the new map! github.com/ONEARMY/community-platform/issues

[@danielmedved2217]

Are you guys using AI to help accelerate output with coding? Big potential efficiency gains there.

[@streamtabulous]

i forgot to mention stringy algae only grows in still water a solar pump make rock river on slope and waterfall enough to give movement to water surface will make a massive difference and airate water so it won't stink etc

[@tsbrownie]

ALGAE: 1st choice: A solar powered air pump to aerate the water will significantly reduce fresh water algae. 2nd choice: mechanical agitation of the water. You can find videos on how Thailand does it. COOLING: I think that NE Portugal has dry hot seasons, and a solar powered "swamp" (evaporation) cooler will work well. I had one on my last house. It does cool really well, but creates high humidity in the room. WATER: My house uses a solar water system. It is simple: a tank up high, a solar panel, a pump (I use an RO water filter pump), and a float switch in the tank. It runs for years without maintenance. I have an old video on it. Contact me if you have questions. DRINKING WATER: I have built solar powered drinking water systems with off the shelf parts. I also have some demos on the result. Write if you want details.

[@atpsynthase7990]

Just a tip from the home of the Eucalypts- every vehicle needs a large, thick, 100% wool blanket. If you are overrun by the bushfire while evacuating, use the blanket to shield the occupants from the radiant heat, for a greatly increased chance of survival. Also, no synthetic clothing in fire season, because "shrink wrap".

[@WowCoolHorse]

I feel like they have the resources to go and buy some actual wildfire shelters, which would increase their likelihood of survival greatly compared to a wool blanket when properly deployed.

[@brandyw.8034]

Also, you keep going to high places to look at the fire. Please remember a fire will burn faster uphill. This is because the flames can easily reach more unburnt fuel in front of the fire. Radiant heat pre-heats the fuel in front of the fire, making the fuel even more flammable. For every 10˚ slope, the fire will double its speed. If you need to escape a wild fire do not go higher.

[@CaratsRitzy]

Fellow Aussie here, Eucalypts isn't native to the EU region but we all know how quick and unpredictable our bushfire can be. It's 100% worth looking up some of our bushfire safety guide Post-2019/2020 Black Summer bushfire. It might be a good idea to form a clearing around the land/roads to prevent cinders/falling branches from blocking the roads?

[@jennastephens1224]

Wool is awesome! I volunteer for a local art supply reuse charity as a specialty fabric expert. The way we tell real wool from plastic fakes is to try to light it on fire (yes, really. There's a fire extinguisher on stand by). Real wool almost never ignites (though I've seen a few wool/cotton blends do it, as cotton is an ideal wick) it just sorta smoulders and turns black. It's really easy to get in Europe, as it's almost a waste product now. That's because even though lamb meat has stayed popular, wool has gone mostly out of fashion, but the sheep still need to be sheared (they can get tangles, matts, skin tears, infections, and even maggots living in their skin if they don't get their haircuts on time). It's really easy to get wool insulation now for not a lot of money, which helps fireproof buildings and cars in areas like Portugal. Plus, it's 100% natural and often organic, so it simply biodegrades over time, returning to the Earth. If possible, try to get alpaca wool, though I know sheep is a lot more common in your part of the world. Alpaca wool is even more fire-resistant than sheep wool, plus it's warmer and softer. We have a lot of it here in North America where I live (Alpacas are from South America, but domesticated alpacas are common here. Along with wool production, they protect other livestock from predators, and have been known to actually kick coyotes and coy-wolves to death)

[@4wardlobster]

@@WowCoolHorsefire shelters are like $800 USD in the USA

[@daylen577]

Best management trick I can share from 15 years in software development; keep people up and running, but swap out their projects. If video makers are struggling with burnout, find something else for them to do and alternate weeks on and off video making. Hiving time off and something to do during that time off can help renew the energy without having to onboard entirely new people.

[@inMuro]

i think a great office also shouldnt be underestimated. maybe investing in an airco wouldnt be such a bad plan!

[@SheilaAllenAvelin]

@@inMuro I agree! It might mean installing an additional solar array, but so worthwhile for morale. A mini-split would also be a great investment for year-round livability.

[@ulyanadyudina6980]

Maybe start the season with the beginners and then invite "veterans" later in the season.

[@TRAVISGOLDIE]

@@daylen577 a small aircon just to reduce humidity and dust will also assist the tech to have longer life. Even in deployed militaries this is normal. A dc directly solar powered aircon run from panels on the office roof would go a long way

[@freddiehill28]

Algae is all about excess nutrients and light. An easy fix is often to add additional things that take in nutrients. The easy way to do this could be to add loads of plants! Local pond plants planted around the edges of the lagoon. You could just add a floating duckweed (something locally native of course) and then let it take over, because it sucks up so much nutrients if you remove it semi-regularly you can dry it in the sun a bit and add it to your compost heap to make nutrient rich compost. Duckweed also cuts the light to the bottom of the lagoon preventing algae growth. Warning though, once you add duckweed it is very hard to get rid of completely.

[@michaelellert4982]

Duckweed is a terrible idea. It will multiply like crazy in those conditions and the lagoon will be unusable. Better option is pond plants and a native fish that eats string algae.

[@freddiehill28]

@@michaelellert4982Yeah, it would require a lot of upkeep (or downkeep).

[@Marthijn-kd2ex]

Iris pseudacorus, is used for those means in the netherlands. Also in koi ponds. It consumes nitrate, via its bacteria layer on the roots

[@derrickaustin8273]

Tilapia..best algae eaters out there

[@michaelellert4982]

@@derrickaustin8273 correct but if not native they will wreck the native populations down stream. In Australia they are considered a pest and you can't have them at all.

[@framegrace1]

For the lagoon, just add plants. Floating plants; jacints,water lettuce, lotus... river plants; rush, water lilies cattails. Just 1/3 or of the pond for them to live..... They will consume all the nutrients on the water and starve the algae. (Root plants are much better at absorving nitrates than algae)

[@JCNvid]

Jacints are invasive plants. They should not be brought in. Its a river, not an artificial lake. Guadiana river and Vouga river all damaged beyhond repair.

[@genzedaph2417]

YES, the organic way is way better then any chemcal or algaecides

[@M1U5T0N3]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_eater#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20known%20types,algae%2C%20detritus%2C%20and%20microalgae. Could be another way... Of course using local animals.

[@trevorfletcher1315]

What do you think of Carp or some other local fish?

[@framegrace1]

@@trevorfletcher1315 Adding fish will make things more complex, they add nitrates to the water (poop), so really they would make the problem worst. Not thay they will live in there, as it is now, they will die from lack of oxigen.

[@soymilkman]

I appreciate the transparency and honesty in regards to safety. It was never my intention to dogpile you guys with my previous chainsaw comment, and despite that y’all took it in stride and are seeking to improve standards. It’s very refreshing! You guys are great, keep going! And just one more thing, I’m not sure how litigious Portugal is, but speaking as an American it worries me a bit you don’t consider volunteer campers using your equipment on your property for your projects ‘your responsibility’ if they get injured. I just want to point that out because from my understanding that warrants suing your organization for negligence. I really don’t want this project to be cut short because of something like that, that would be genuinely terrible 😭 I actually love y’all 🫶

[@inMuro]

i have zero knowledge of litigation, nor chainsaws, but just wanted to point out to you and others americans watching: suing for negligence doesn't really happen in europe. it's more something we see in american movies! doesn't prove you wrong at all, but just wanted to give this cultural background to what you're seeing

[@stellaewunia9783]

@@inMuro Yes. You're less likely to sue but a company will at the very least be given a fine. And be forced to prove that they fixed the mistake before they can resume operations. Not to mention the bad publicity any kind of an accident would cause... And suits do happen occasionally (companies are usually insured for this reason), not saying they are won like in the us. But it can be costly either way.

[@benkenobi4937]

They talk about being "more" safe - but the consistent feedback was for anyone using a chainsaw, to wear safety pants/chaps - in order to avoid an injury that could cause death. Death. And yet I have not seen anyone wearing this particular safety gear ever. And then the casual question "Should we be more strict?" The answer - Yes, you should be more strict. But it seems that they won't be. I guess we'll see if someone dies.

[@TRAVISGOLDIE]

@@soymilkman most other countries have governance for this stuff. Being sued is rare in other countries compared to the USA.

[@scrat123789]

@@inMuro in the UK if someone on project kamp died in a chainsaw accident they would be looking at corporate manslaughter charges, they are an organisation that have volunteers working on their land/project and have no risk assessments (or no valid risk assesments if they allow chainsaw use like that). Saying they cannot force people to use the gear is incorrect and again in the uk she would risk personal charges if that was used as evidence of her lax attitude towards safety.

[@Willem_Lab]

In regards to the Lagoon growing Algea. If you pump the water through a grow bed where you grow vegetables, the vegetable plants will use the nutrients in the water which might decrease the amounts of nutrients in the water and the Algea will not be able to flurish as there is not enough nutrients for them to be able to grow. I have been looking at an Aquaponics system to build at home where I get fish to add the nutrients in the water column but that might not be needed in your lagoon as you get the nutrients upstream.

[@coedlan]

This will only work if you are growing hydroponically though - don't pump it through soil or compost as it will have the opposite effect and the nutrients will be washed out of the bed, into the lagoon, causing more algae

[@konobikundude]

Yeah... could also use floating rafts from aquaponics in the lagoon directly, though it'd take up surface area. I've seen it used with rice plants on lakes in china and other non-western places that have problems with agricultural run-off.

[@HerpilyDerp86]

Absolutely. Algae blooms are due to an excess of nutrients in the water. A veg bed or hydroponics system would be brilliant. Additionally some plants around less used areas to help in situ would help

[@javiandel178]

They could introduce a species of fish that eats the algae and a predator to that fish so the population of the prey stays balanced. There are big cons to this challenge, as the species of fish could damage the ecosystem that’s already living on the pond, but they could try to look at other ponds from the area or lakes to replicate that ecosystem in their pond, which would give them a long term solution and it would also bring more ecological diversity to the area.

[@Reshyi]

I'd also consider maybe getting some prawns. They love eating Algea, and can be a good little food source in the future.

[@l.m.2404]

The green, slimy algae from the lagoon is wonderful in the compost. I'm envious.

[@urbanlucky98]

For the tents: A common problem is that they don't use plastics so that the tent can breathe, yet the water proofing indeed runs out. One way to keep them dry is to build a roof above them, can be a thick plastic tarp (700+gm/m2), or use something more sustainable like a wooden roof or smth. Also a small little wooden deck, instead of putting them on the floor directly can increase lifespan a lot.

[@Akuma.73]

At that point just add few walls and there won't be a need for the tent in the first place

[@shaneroy9527]

My comment is when the company that makes it says it can’t be waterproofed again and only lasts 1 year of use… They are saying buy a new tent of theirs and don’t try to reproof it…

[@TimonScholten]

Maybe you can waterproof them with 🐝 bees wax. There are raincoats and even workpants that use that method to keep the rain / water out.

[@urbanlucky98]

@@Akuma.73 that is so not fair, because waterproofing a full space is a whole other ballgame, the tent also keeps you protected from bugs. If you set up small little roofs with platforms for tents, you can re-use those and let others bring a tent and put it. That way no single tent is being exposed to weather all year either. A full on space that is bug tight is not as easy as "put some walls" look at the gallons of expanding foam American use to keep them out.

[@a.ha.7292]

We had an 100% cotton tent and had the same problems. We cutted and put on zippers, so we had the oportunity to use the washing mashine and the dryer and the sun. And we socked it before washing. And then we used a product to make it waterressistend once again. It took us a week of our holidays, but we could use it again. And as it is heavier than before, we decided to bring wood for a base above ground. After all, i must state, next time we will consider something else, still dont wamt to buy plastic. In the spring a friend spotted a couple with a leather tippi. Not sure about that, we are vegan😅

[@joeeigo9820]

Digging a ramp to get it out 😂 love that simple solution!

[@shaneroy9527]

Loved seeing that. I’ve seen guys drop them out without a ramp but way better method if you got the dirt.

[@TheSawdustChronicles]

occam's razor...

[@jackie1122]

That' s the portuguese style.

[@stephenhutchings6086]

I am praying that you all stay safe from the fires. Much love from South Africa.

[@AlastairGray-u9d]

For the lagoon ... The classic algae suppresant is barley straw. Ideally it needs to be added to the pond before the algae starts, although adding it after you've cleared the bulk of the algae should also help. The other thing is to add water lillies. These will die back in the winter and if planted directly into the bottom of the lagoon should remain in the mud/soil, ready to regrow each year. They absorb nutrients from the water and also shade the water both of which will significantly reduce algae growth. Obviously take care to use native species (Nuphar lutea subsp. luteum and Nympaea alba). As there is a very problematic invasive Mexican water lily (Nympaea mexicana).

[@Joker-wg3qo]

The Water lillie succession is great and what also could help would be plant eating animals like ducks, fish, or snails althoug there the question would be if the could survive if the water level runs low and how well that would work out in the ecosystem since some snails and fish can cause huge problems if being invasive. But there should be options filling the lagoon with life wich would eat some of the algae.

[@sarab3960]

DO NOT ADD WATER LILIES PLEASE! these are evasive species in Portugal that can travel through water down rivers! Please check all the work being done no rio Mondego. It’s an ecological disaster

[@sarab3960]

Do not add these please! Water Lillie’s are invasive species that outcompete native species. It’s an ecological disaster in rio Mondego.

[@sarab3960]

PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH before suggesting such a stupid idea in a water source.

[@sarab3960]

Water lilies are invasive species that outcompete native species. It’s an ecological nightmare in rio Mondego.

[@lorassorkin]

My heart breaks for all those caught in fires every year, but I'm so happy to know you're all safe for now. Thanks for the updates!

[@shaneroy9527]

You guys should build a fire watch tower, build a fire break as a border to your area, maybe a fire system. All not easy projects but it would aid all of your long term fire concerns.

[@jessheppell750]

Glad to hear you are all safe. When I heard about the fires I thought of Project Kamp. I know how it feels to have a fire close by and information that lags. It can be frustrating and panic inducing. Getting everyone well away early on is a great solution. I am sure this has inspired you to make the land even more fire resilient next season.

[@michaelshanehelton]

I always look forward to the "challenges" videos. They encapsulate the thoughtfulness and interactivity that is Project Kamp.

[@chrishechtl8330]

I know the fire was a scary situation but seeing the guys standing on the rocks watching the fire reminded me of prairie dogs. I would suggest making a large garden and another garden for herbs, a fruit grove and use the mimosa to make a fire tower (like a kid's tree fort) and maybe for compost bins built into the ground. Glad everyone is okay. I would strongly suggest an all hands evolution to cut more fire breaks in the path of potential wildfires too.

[@franjelicah8563]

I love how honest and real this episode is, so much heart

[@juha-mattikoponen1625]

Great video! What comes to power tools and protective gear, some tool are way more dangerous than others. I'm talking mainly about the chainsaws. If you make a mistake with it and it slips/kicks back and hits unprotected piece of human, it will make some really nasty effects. Talk about severing major arteries and such. So I would personally never let anyone use it with out saw pants and boots and a helmet. How ever hot and uncorfortable they are. I take sweaty and unconfortable over dead anytime! But I am glad to hear that you are improving on the safety. Keep up the good work!

[@shantaloft]

Over the last 20 years I have watched as the number of fires that you describe increase over the years as the climate warms. I have seen the wall of fire just 20 away as it approaches our honey house. Thanks to the diligent removal of burnables each year from around the house. Which we did for the same reason you have been removing the mimosas. I have felt the fear of the site of fire juping miles ahead of the front of the fire from wind-carrying burning embers. The sky, red and full of smoke like the smell of Mordor. It is good to hear that you all and your place of adventure are safe.

[@ganymede0204]

You get your digger! That's nice! Maybe you can expand the "lake" before this season ends to storage more water? About the lagoon, maybe find some material to change the water pH to limit the algae growing?

[@patriciaa9372]

It was a scary week indeed! Here in Gaia we had just 5meters vision range due to the smoke... Good to know you are all ok! Really!

[@raymondheckard234]

there is a solution to cool down the work space and to do so geothermal. Now you will soon have your digger on site, you can dig a 2 meter deep trench about 150 to 200 meters long in a loop fashion of Naylor Unperforated Land Drain Coil Corrugated Pipe at least 100 MM is Diameter. with the intake in the building powered with a small fan blowing air through the pipe with the discharge of the pipe enter the building on the opposite wall, the air passing through the piping will be about around 12 to 18 C at discharge providing cooling . the Corrugation is needed to provide the maximum surface for heat transfer and dissipation under ground and a fan that moves 229.82 m3/hr or 63.84 L/s, and the fan can be solar powered. Depending on the size of the building you may need more than one loop, but it is cheap geothermal cooling and heating that can make the work space more comfortable. you want unperforated pipe that is water tight under ground to prevent water in the pipe. A sump can be installed in the lowest part of the pipe for condensation collection and to allow water buildup to be be removed from a closed small vertical well accessible from the surface some distance from the building. This system uses the same principles as cooling a building with a natural under ground cave, except for you are using Corrugated land drain pipe that is unperforated.

[@stingraybob8933]

Start a tree production chain - grow your own native trees from seed. It will be very expensive to reforest the land with purchased trees once you get rid of the mimosas, and will take a long time. If you start your own trees now, it will be that much faster (and much cheaper) before you start having mature trees on the property. Waiting for nature to fill the land will take a very long time, and will give an opportunity for mimosa and eucalyptus to come back.

[@tarabissonnette1555]

Your videos are my favorite. Sustainable living is one of the only things I'm passionate about, but haven't broken out of the standard way yet. My goal, and what I committed to school for is sustainable architecture. Earthship architect is what I'm working toward so I can freelance and travel. I hope to see you guys at the top! You're building something amazing! Keep going

[@horstschlemmer7883]

Just to explain myself, I am 55 years old, from Germany, and I am an electrical engineer , working in electrics and heavy lifting Sites for the last 40 years, I also restored some old buildings, ruins, gardens, bridges and stone walls, and I am ready to help you, How can I help you ? I dont need money, just food and drinks, Cheers Chris.

[@schweizermadel3810]

Suggestion to make working for the video team at the office in summer more enjoyable: Airconditioning (solar powered).

[@inMuro]

or move the team to a cooler spot? i've been to a house made out of earth once, and it was really cool, even in summer. in the winter, it was warm. Might be cool to look into for the future: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthship

[@theagemaway]

About remote video editing: If your internet connection has decent latency, you can have someone use remote desktop software (Windows has it built-in) to log in to a computer at Kamp. It only uses a very small amount of data, so it might work better than trying to transfer huge video files.

[@tobiiias1793]

Starlink has relativ good latency

[@OficinadoArthur]

For the lagoon, i believe that adding local fish that eats this type of algea...

[@lealarsen2017]

yes but this is not a permanent pond it is a water reservoir that they can drain so adding fish will only send them down the waterfall when they drain the pond in winter.

[@OficinadoArthur]

@@lealarsen2017 makes sense... would be necessary to net out the fish every time they would do it and even then there would be losses

[@kathinkadalseg6262]

@@lealarsen2017you could set up a mesh, to prevent The fish running.

[@DuskTemplarr]

oh no, not challanges .... love the videos, been following for a while and in fact its impressive how far you both have come and the community coming together for the project. Keep it up 😊

[@sallaheniese8382]

Re: The Lagoon - The algae is growing because of a trifecta of factors working against it: warm water, bright light and excess nutrient load from organic matter being washed in. Perhaps try looking into the techniques used in natural swimming pools to help filter and 'clean' the water. Steps like having the water upstream flow over rocks, gravel and sand to trap organic matter, create a reed bed to uptake excess nutrients and remove/mitigate sources of phosphorous like agricultural run-off, soap, or even heavy iron water can help with the algae while also making for a better habitat for wildlife. The same sort of steps could be used to make the Swamp less of a, well, you know a swamp.

[@mandranmagelan9430]

8:03 The pond is not in balance. Solution could be: creation of better habitats for wetland animals (including local aquatic and riparian flora, ...) and later, if possible, active relocation of animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects). - Or just leave it. Because nature always finds a way (at some point). :-D

[@peterkilvert2712]

Another good video. Sorry to hear your land is under threat of Fire and hope you and your lovely neighbours escape the flames. Julie mentioned Safety and wasn't sure who was responsible. You HAVE to name one person who has overall responsibility for the health and safety of all people and visitors to the Kamp. (It seems obvious to me that this person is Dave). But you also need to identify the areas of work that you do e.g. Environment, Construction, Food Hygiene, Computers, Services, Waste disposal, etc and name the people responsible for each. They all need to know what is expected of them, be trained/informed as necessary and train and supervise other people as necessary. You also need it written down to prove you are doing this (as in a Safety Policy Statement), just in case there is a serious accident and a Safety Enforcement Officer investigates. it would be unfair to invite somebody to Kamp to help YOU, give them a job that they haven't done before, and HOPE they don't injure themselves or other people.

[@anotherLPfan]

This needs a lot more likes. I love Project Kamp but the simple additions of having leather chaps to prevent chainsaw accidents is incredibly NECESSARY and not a "well we'll see what happens if someone gets hurt *shrug*" kind of attitude :/

[@stellaewunia9783]

Yes. I don't know if they're aware that they're at this size already. You can have fun and be careless when it's you and your 3 buddies. Not when you have 30 people coming every year... I don't know the portoguese law but they might be legally responsible in case of an accident. Even if the people coming are volunteers and signing a waiver. They're still providing work for you. Where I am, you are required by law to 1. provide safety equipment 2. teach health and safety (i believe this includes first aid) 3. enforce that they use the equipment and follow rules or you will be liable in case of an accident. That's why it's rare to have volunteers doing hazardous labour.

[@scrat123789]

I would also add that this video would be considered evidence that the organisers of project kamp do no take health and safety seriously. Claiming that PPE and safety instructions are only suggestions and cannot be enforced shows a complete lack of understanding of the work they are carrying out.

[@stellaewunia9783]

@@scrat123789 100%. They need to at least enforce that members wear safety equipment on camera! One accident is too many.

[@dab75]

Such a strange feeling to watch you suffer with wild fires in Portugal at the same time that we are suffering with wild fires across the ocean, here in Brasil. 😥🔥

[@gekkehobbykoe]

Algae blooms need 2 essntials things: sunlight and excess dissolved nutrients. You can try eliminating the sunlight exposure but that's hard. You can either eliminate the source of excess nutrients entering the water or introduce a competitor for the nutrients, like bacteria.

[@daveed496]

Adding bacteria into a lagoon you want to swim in might not be the best idea 😭 most likely the foot traffic and landscaping got rid of some essential plant growth that was feeding off the river

[@apveening]

@@daveed496 Depends completely on the species of bacteria.

[@antonio44581]

You can introdiuce plants that cover from sunlight like lottus or some water duckweed and orgue species. They will compet for the light causing less alguee

[@pyroslev]

The risk is fun until that chainsaw skips off something and at best you get a little scratch. Chainsaw chaps are a must I (and many others) will continue to advocate for. Good buy on the Kubota. A nice enough for now. Model looks like parts are plentiful.

[@Mithraschosen]

For the algae: Barley straw releases low amount of HO into the water and can keep algae down without harming other plants and animals in the ecosystem. If you have a local farmer that can spare a bale of specifically Barley straw, that may help with this issue for the future.

[@mariushegli]

people who won't use protective gear shouldn't be allowed to use powertools like a chainsaw.

[@motschibaby]

I would love to know: How are decisions made, conflicts resolved, workflows planned, tasks mandated, new people being onboarded, leadership roles decided upon etc.? Do we know how Project Kamp is organized from such a organizational development perspective? Would be interesting to have any information on this! Thank you to anyone who knows more about this.

[@beebop4333]

SUGGESTION...build a natural bio-filter for that lagoon. Its simple. Part 2...definitely find a solution to the buildings heat issues. One idea is utilizing geothermal cooling with a 4 to 6 inch buried pipes undergruond that bring cool air in. Also, utilize solar for power on the buildings for ceiling fans. Its great to live off the land, but make it comfortable as possible. Part 3. Buy mold spray that coats the surface and prevents mold. I know you dont like it, but do it. It will save you time. Also add more vents or air movement in the humid environment. Part 4. Utilize mimosa wood to build with no matter how big or small. This is the most underutilized resource you have. One idea is make something very small yet easy to make from that mimosa wood that can be purchased in town or from viewers and shipped to your viewers and will provide some income...a coaster, a project camp logo stamped in wood.

[@HayleyFromOz]

Physically remove as much of the string algae as possible before treatment to minimize the amount of decay. Many pond owners will pull the algae out by hand, others purchase a long-handled brush and wrap the string algae around the brush to pull it out. Step 2. To kill off the remaining algae, use a pond algaecide safe for fish and plants. We have found a liquid algaecide to be the most effective and safe for ornamental ponds. It is best to treat your pond on a sunny day in the morning. Algaecides will pull oxygen out of the water, so we recommend you pour the treatment into a high flow water area such as a waterfall to minimize the impact on plants and fish. During the treatment phase, we recommend using the algae fix every three days until the algae turn brown. Once the algae is under control we have found using the liquid algaecide once a week can be an excellent preventative of recurring string algae. Step 3. Add barley to your pond to prevent and/or slow down the new growth of string algae. When barley breaks down it releases a hydrogen peroxide gas that deters the growth of string algae. Barley is available in several forms: Bales (Large Bales are available for Earth/Natural Ponds) - Bales are the least expensive but take four to six weeks before they break down and begin to release the hydrogen peroxide gas. The bales can be placed in your filter (if room allows) or directly in your pond with a string attached that is tied to a rock to weight it down. The bales should be replaced every two to three months. When putting a new bale in, leave the old bale in for 6 weeks to give the new bale time to break down and start working. Liquid - The liquid form of barley is the quickest acting (because the barley has already been broken down), most effective, and as you might expect, most expensive. Step 4. Look for potential causes of the string algae growth. High pH and Phosphorus are the leading causes. To determine if you have high pH or Phosphorus use a test kit or take a water sample to a pond, water garden, or fish store. If your pH is high (above 8.5), use a pH down the product to reduce the pH. Once the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5 add a pH stabilizer to keep the pH at the new level. Also, look for the cause of the high pH and remedy it. Common causes include excessive plant growth, overstocking of fish, the introduction of foreign materials (untreated concrete, rocks containing limestone or calcium, granite), or the clearing of algae blooms. It should be noted that Green Water Algae could cause major pH swings. If you have Green Water you should solve the Green Water problem first, then adjust pH if it is still an issue. Note: Changes to pH MUST be made GRADUALLY. Do not attempt to alter the pH more than 0.2 in a 24-hour period (except with a pH crash, in this situation dramatic changes are required). Be sure to follow the instructions on the labels. If Phosphorus content is high, use Phosphorus Remover (Placed in a filter media bag in the filter). A common source of high phosphorus is fertilizer. When fertilizing your lawn be sure to use a non-phosphate fertilizer. Step 5. Use a sludge-eating bacterium to break down the remaining organic matter resulting from the dead algae. Sludge-eating bacteria is available in two forms: Liquid Form - Just Pour into Pond Granular Form - Now comes in water-soluble packets. Simply toss in one packet per 1000 gallons once a week.

[@sylvervg4036]

I suggest you guys add fire alarms or earthquake alarms (emergency alarms), also add more fire extinguishers around the camp.

[@brokkoliomg6103]

for the office people in summer - have you tried shifting the work hours? 1) start early in the morning, make a fiesta when it's super hot (chill in a hammock or in the sketchy ruin room downstairs) and do some more work in the evening. 2) sleep during the day in the room downstairs in the sketchy ruin and work during the night. Aren't programmers night owls? 🦉😆 + add some variety and don't let them work on this one task only as some one else mentioned

[@bradfeatherstone1775]

There are multiple DIY sources on the web for construction of a village scale water purification system. One is to use large barrels filled with progressively smaller washed sand . This is followed by a barrel of activated charcoal (eucalyptus and an acid) and then UV. Pump into light blocking tank. Perhaps you can build an elevated platform using eucalyptus poles.

[@LowFlung]

Great update. Was feeling a real dip in energy for the past few updates, but this video does a good job of explaining why and also has me excited for the future.

[@NidhiSingh-si7dr]

Ooh, very close... Anyhow the best part is that you all actually faced it very brilliantly Hopefully for future you will make few more fire breaking sections around your property. All the best for now, stay safe.

[@elviscoso01]

Question for Q&A: have you thought about making Geodesic Dome structures out of mimosas? You could use them as living spaces.

[@Philmill1199]

About the fires, here in Australia there are lots of government resources that give good advise for evacuation plans and what to do in case you are in an at risk area. Changing how your water system operates from the distribution perspective as the video talks about could be essential. You occasionally hear stories of people leaving their homes with all their garden watering systems on in the middle of fires and its enough to prevent their homes from burning. Some houses have sprinklers set up on their roofs so there is water running over the top of the house during a fire. People also intentionally block their gutters with rags and fill them with water. Adding gutters to buildings with roofs could be a good idea for water collection anyway. Fire breaks are essential, if you are worried about the Eucalyptus trees on neighbouring properties, cutting down trees and bushes and clearing it from the area is necessary. In Australia, homes that border bushland can have a fire break of up to 10 meters wide and even larger. Hope this information helps!

[@martinbonner8626]

Have you thought about turning dead wood into biochar ? This biochar can be inoculated with the liquid from the bio digestor . This will increase the productivity of the land

[@cornedemoeder1175]

Om van de algen in de lagoon af te komen, hang je een koperen plaatje in het water. Minimaal 20 x20 cm. En alle alg verdwijnt. Met een groet van Ossie

[@jamesfischer5389]

I was thinking about PROJECT KAMP and The KAMPERS when I heard of the FIRES! I'm Glad Everyone, and Everything is OK! I've Been following PK from DETROIT since the shop and kitchen container builds before the move to Portugal! ☮️💜🇺🇸

[@diogocarvalho5567]

for the lagoon go to a dam near you and catch some carp, put them in there and they will eat it all in no time and in the future you will have a sustainable food source and that will keep a check on the carp population

[@cuper007]

🔥 Build a sprinkler system around the camp. The water comes from the lagoon or, if necessary, from the well using a pump.💦 This way you can at least moisten the central area and contain the fire

[@truusvdkraats3260]

Good idea and will help as I have seen. But you need a petrol pump for backup because the smoke will block the sun for the panels when the fire is close, so not enough electricity than to run the pump.

[@bradfeatherstone1775]

Air Cooling: Install earth tempered air ducts. In usa we bury multiple 6 inch pipes about 8 feet down and 100 to 200 feet long. Check with local sources for soil temperature profiles first. This is an ancient technology.

[@tinabennett262]

Vinegar kills the mold on your tents. It might not get rid of all the stain, but no mold. You can buy waterproofing for canvas. It doesn't work like the tent is new, but put it on heavy, and you'll get more time out of it. You can also put a fly over the tent (use ripstop)

[@vaalrus]

A hydraulic thumb for the digger is probably the most useful accessory you can add, especially if you have lots of brush and debris to deal with. After that, I have a modified bucket with a 3m wide box tube with a renewable plate steel cutting edge, which is fabulous for raking, leveling, shaping slopes or landscaping.

[@rolandtb3]

Congrats on the digger, big changes expected. Landscaping, clearing around ruins, searching for pipes, gardening, reshaping roadways, creating level areas for existing or new construction, designing swales to capture water run-off or imorove water retention. Searching and building more wells. Fixing or further developing existing wells. Any updates on the above ground leaking concrete water tank, fed by spring water? For fire safety, develop and practice evacuation plans. Continue to remove mimosa and eucalyptus trees and replace with fire resistant local varieties. As the wood is useless, burn or chip to improve soil biomass or other - retaining walls, steps, vegation stakes, limited furnitur, compost, other. With the digger and land topography, create watershed areas, water retention barriers, mold the landscape to your advantage. Deepen, widen or lengthen streams or ponds. Rural areas tend not to have fire hydrants. So readily available bodies of water are assets to fire fighters. Lagoons, ponds, streams, wells, dams, storage containers. Easy, safe road access is also essential for the heavier, longer, wider vehicles. May need to construct fire towers along the most vulnerable areas.

[@alfredbucket848]

waterproofing canvas: 2 cups mineral oil to 2 lbs of paraffin or beeswax. apply once every year. non toxic and flexible.

[@Tom-en9tc]

The pond seems to have an access of nutrients, increasing the plants in there or maybe even aquaponics might solve the abundance of nutrients. Adding more fast growing plants and removing it manually solved it for me in my aquarium hah

[@kathyl3918]

I've been very worried, checking other social platforms. So very glad to hear from you! Take care.

[@hugovader6727]

i am portuguese and i already told guys you have got to cut those mimosas ...... its not a matter of if there will be a fire but when .....

[@HowardRice]

For the filamentous algae ('blanket weed') push a long bamboo pole into it and twist. The filaments wind themselves onto it and can then be pulled out and removed. Also as others have pointed out, the long term solution is to have more plants and reduce the nutrient concentration.

[@WaterholeExchange]

Algae in the Lagoon can be remedied with a decent solar pump to circulate the water and a few aquatic plants that reduce the sun light on the water surface. A few trees can provide some extra shade to assist.

[@ernestospadolesto8126]

The boss made a good choice. You can't go wrong with a Kubota machine. In my opinion, it's a bit too cheap, which could mean that something will break soon. But it's still a good choice. Now you don't need to cut down harmful trees anymore, you can simply push them away with the excavator and remove them permanently, including the roots. It will also serve you well for the further expansion of your settlement and houses, and will save you a lot of money and outside work.

[@lolcatz88]

I have a small pond at my house that has string algae growing in it. Every year at the start of the wet season, frogs spawn in my yard and I transfer them into my pond. The tadpoles that hatch eat all the string algae as a food source. So maybe you need some more frogs?

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Modern technology has fire resistance tools be it fire balnkets, antiburn building materials or heavy wool blankets, etc. The worst things about fires is the HEAT and the SMOKE. They are the two things that decide whether you survive or not. I don't see why , with all the hills, stone buildings on the place plus the easy access to water to use for preparing the roofs and building protection before the fire hits and during the fire assault. Why there can't be a survival cave dug into a hillsde or a firewall encased stone building where there are air- pollution filters along with emergency supplies and resources to draw upon.

[@OlegPalyvoda]

Against algae, in the long run, I recommend herbivorous fish. In Ukraine, for example, we usually use silver carp or grass carp . They eat all the algae and the water becomes clear. You can research if such a fish is found in Portugal, or if you have a local one that eats algae well.

[@stevenfaber3896]

For the video editing, Having 1 full time on with the new people to onboard, and each week, a new person who's a multi-seasoned comes in so there's continuous life energy being brought in, once they come in twice, in one season or in 2, then they can come and be a full timer.

[@JorgeMacedo1965]

I'm glad everything and everyone is safe. 😊

[@LGJM83]

Glad you guys are safe

[@josecosta9874]

❤ so happy for you !!!! ❤ that nothing happened with the fire . Bless you !

[@Hominid00inthemirrow]

Hi guys, so glad you had a happy ending to the digger scam, Sort of.

[@rolf186]

For the lagoon, add Talapia they love algae.

[@farminginthehighlands1205]

For the Lagoon, you need to aeorate the water, a small solar pump/fountain would work.

[@lanachapman8357]

Placing bales of oat straw into the lagoon helps control algae overgrowth

[@jimdotcom1972]

for the waterproofing of your tent, you should look up natural wax jackets, they sell parafin wax that you warm up to melt and then rub it all over the jacket surface and it'll reseal and regain its waterproof properties. you're supposed to do it once a year to maintain it. the technique would probably work on any cloth material that was original designed to be waterproof. i know its not a natural remedy, but black mould removers do exist in ktichen cleaning products. cilit bang black mould remover works wonders in my home, used it on my shower sealant, rubber seals on the fridge door, even some rising damp on my walls, just spray it on a leave it, practically disolves the mould, disappears into thin air, it'll work a treat.

[@mrholiday3253]

HI, For the fresh water system try employing a multi sand filter with a back flushing function. It will be labour intensive but very rewarding and I’m sure you’ll find it more sustainable.

[@NimmiCat]

Wow PK is so near to me. I always imagined it further north for some reason. Same fire threatened to come east toward my village. The winds were in our favor.

[@djads08041970]

Hi Guys, nice to hear your well. Lagoon - Pump re-circulating the water, through a filter, and some aeration stones work well in my pond (could run it on localised solar panel set up - Maybe run it on hydro if flows all year. Fast growing/producing plants as suggested like Water lettuce, Cat tails, Iris, Water Hyacinth. Barley Straw will help but will produce hydrogen peroxide. Tents - Just clean and fix a large waterproof sail overhead. Wooden cabins with insulated metal roofs will last for years.

[@OpenThisGate87]

If the Kubota has quick release you could get a stumper attachment for digging around stumps easier.

[@zakscott7700]

Whoa, i saw the smoke from that fire from my work on the other side of the Serra da Lousã. Didn't realize that you guys were so close... Stay safe, I'll be thinking of you if i see smoke in that direction again.

[@tounguetiedup]

You should install sprinklers on the roofs and run them when there is fire risk. It should protect your buildings. We have that here and it generally is a good precaution.

[@KUBAXY]

Now that You have digger maybe consider digging additional wells with pipes comming to most important parts of camp so You can use it in case of fires

[@paulhawkes215]

Was quite disappointed to hear that Project Kamp now has a 2 tier class system, Management and others. I am a realist so appreciate someone needs to lead, so for me having leaders is acceptable but Managers No 👎

[@joelee259]

Safety is everybody's responsibility and everybody should be encouraged to the user of the equipment to use PPE stuff

[@palmajm5333]

For you (and the camp) to be safe in next years, I think you need to address the mimosas problem more seriously in the entire area. Having people cutting huge patches of trees won't make it, and will take a lot of time. The sooner you clean the entire area and start planting diverse trees like Oaks, Arbutus Unedo, Poplars (near water streams), etc basically a mix of fire resistant and deciduous trees, the better. And it will take 10 to 20 years to make relevant changes in the area. During winter, hire a tree cutting machine and big wood chipper and cut and chip almost all mimosas leaving the bigger ones here and there. Then, the job of the team would be to maintain the land that way, and nurture the new planted trees. It's easier and faster than to cut tree patches manually.

[@Sapphiregriffin]

suggestion: Get some fish: grazers. Be sure to source a local species. imagine the algae like brush in a forest. if you have deer to eat it, the forest will be less filled with branches, to farm a aqua-forest, use fish! or other grazers like snials and shrimp!

[@Afca-xi6df]

The safety gear stuff is such a argument for everybody. In the Netherlands employers are held accountable when things go wrong and you didn’t have the safety gear on. Once told a guy multiple times and multiple days even, he had to use it. End of story things go wrong and I get a fine. I get I have to be responsible, but some people just don’t want to listen and as soon as you turn your back they think ahhh I know what I’m doing. It’s not like I let an 14 year old do the job, no it was a 40 year old that had experience which costed me maybe 2k but in the end it was 12k because he didn’t listen.

[@carlacoelho6844]

Olá. Fico feliz que estejam todos bem e a salvo e obrigada por cuidarem da terra tão bem. Boa continuação.

[@Jedker13]

Good, that you are safe for a while. Greetings from Poland - actually we have some serious issue with floods. The planet is fed up with us probably. Good luck folks!

[@-htl-]

In line of you substainability and combating fire. You can as fire wall implement more low growth vegtable fields with berms arround to camp in a buffer zone against the fire. The greens do not burn. You have a dam with plenty enough of water so that should not be a problem. With your digger you can completely remove the Mimosa's from the soil. That would really be a big step forward.

[@ANNA-bq9yy]

You should try to wax the tent. Not sure if that would work but in my mind it would be a cool idea haha ;D And I dunno why but I felt sad when some of you left Kamp instead of trying your best to fight for it. I asked chatgpt for your situation and thats what it told me: 1. Create Defensible Space: Clear Vegetation: Maintain a defensible space of at least 30 meters around your home by clearing away dry grass, dead leaves, and flammable shrubs. This reduces fuel that a fire can consume near your structures. Remove Lower Branches: Trim lower branches of eucalyptus and mimosa trees up to a height of 2-3 meters to prevent fire from spreading from the ground to the tree canopy. Thin Out Trees: If possible, thin out dense tree clusters to reduce the amount of fuel. 2. Maintain Firebreaks: Create Firebreaks: Establish firebreaks around the perimeter of your property by clearing vegetation down to the soil. These can slow down or even stop the spread of fire. Gravel or Bare Soil Areas: Around critical areas like your house, consider using gravel, bare soil, or other non-flammable materials instead of vegetation. 3. Use Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Choose Fire-Resistant Plants: Consider replacing some flammable vegetation with fire-resistant plants, such as succulents, lavender, or rosemary, which are less likely to ignite. 4. Install Irrigation Systems: Sprinklers and Drip Irrigation: An irrigation system can keep the vegetation moist, reducing the risk of ignition during dry conditions. 5. Prepare Your Home: Use Fire-Resistant Materials: If possible, use fire-resistant building materials for roofs, walls, and decks. Keep gutters and roofs clear of leaves and debris. Install Fire Screens: Use fire-resistant screens on windows and vents to prevent embers from entering your home. 6. Develop an Emergency Plan: Evacuation Routes: Know your evacuation routes and have a plan for your family and pets. Firefighting Tools: Keep basic firefighting tools, like hoses, buckets, and shovels, accessible. 7. Stay Informed: Monitor Fire Alerts: Stay updated with local fire conditions and alerts through apps, websites, or local authorities. 8. Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a local fire prevention expert or forest engineer who can offer specific advice tailored to your property.

[@wesleyhubbard5840]

Hey, for your algea problem look at pond solutions there are good options to help limit algea and sometimes eliminate it without harming the eviroment to those who call it home

[@pervysage3604]

You have neighbors with tractors, why did you not dig out fire breaks? Get the tractors and bull doze the under growth out of the path of the fire, or along the edge of your properties. Remove the fuel from the path of the fire, don't sit around waiting for the fire to HIT you, proactively work to put a gap between you and the danger.

[@dannyishome]

how they got the excavator out of the truck is aweseome :D

[@naraic2330]

You need to build a fire lookout point on the top rock (or highest point (s) in kamp, I know it's a nice feature, but I think after this reality check with the fires it could prove to be a lifesaver for years to come.

[@sometea4741]

The Lagoon. I'll repost my observations from when you first cleared the lagoon..it requires shade..and possible a couple of small solar powered waterwheels..the lagoon will need surface plants such as pond lilies..lotus..and Hydrocharis..yes your pool may be covered in beautiful plants but the water will become crystal clear algae free.. as an aquatic water garden manager..I don't know how many times I've heard people wonder why their water (usually in full sun and with no aeration ) is algeafied and their fish are dying..it's allllll about the shade..shade on the bank of the pool above the pool and on the pool of water..or just continue to wonder why your lagoon has algae..lol

[@sometea4741]

Alfalfa bales or pellets will catalyze a biological reaction with the water and clears up stagnant pools..also consider a bubbler or fountain during hot and low flow season..if you can't use plants..use oxygenaters

[@EthnobotanikFAQ]

If you’re having current news, for example when you talked about the fire situation, I also find it interesting at which date the video was recorded. Please mention that in the future :)

[@dennishudson9723]

Get Gore-Tex spray for the tent it should waterproof it again, when I was a ski instructor. Our coats would become non-waterproof after a while spraying with Gore-Tex brought them back to life.

[@benstradling7615]

To water proof the tents there's a recipe here on KZbin which involves using clear silicone the type used by builders mixing in with a solvent like grain alcohol works really well 👍