GRÓ LRT Fellows Visit the Hekluskógar Restoration Area in South Iceland

On 18 June 2025, the GRÓ LRT fellows took part in a full-day excursion to South Iceland to explore land restoration in practice, with a focus on the large-scale Hekluskógar project.

The day began at Lækjartún farm, where farmer Hulda Brynjólfsdóttir introduced the fellows to practices in regenerative agriculture. From there, the group visited the reconstructed Commonwealth Farm (Þjóðveldisbærinn) in Þjórsárdalur valley, offering a glimpse into Iceland’s early settlement period and the devastating impact of the 1104 Mount Hekla eruption.

In the afternoon, the fellows explored key sites within the Hekluskógar project area, covering 100,000 hectares. The visit focused on the degradation history of the area, the ecological collapse caused by centuries of unsustainable land use and volcanic activity, and the strategies now being implemented to restore woodland ecosystems and build resilience to future eruptions.

Experts introduced the fellows to the project’s restoration methods, research on plant responses to volcanic ash, and the role of wind and water erosion. The group visited several restoration plots in various stages of recovery, gaining insight into the practical challenges and successes of ecological restoration on a large scale.

The Hekluskógar project, first proposed in the early 2000s, is now a nationally recognized effort led by Land and Forest Iceland. Its goals include restoring biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and enhancing ecosystem services. Collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, local farmers, and private stakeholders has been essential to its progress.

The excursion concluded with a stop in Hella before the group returned to Reykjavík in the evening.

This field visit, along with the recent Snæfellsnes trip, forms part of Assignment 10 for the fellows, encouraging them to connect Icelandic examples with their own home country experiences and earlier course content.