GRÓ LRT Fellows Visit Land and Forest Iceland in Gunnarsholt, South of Iceland

As part of the ongoing training programme, the GRÓ Land Restoration Training (LRT) fellows visited the former headquarters of the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland, which is now known as Land and Forest Iceland (LFI). On this two-day trip to the South of Iceland, the focus was on gaining an overall lens on LFI's work and operations. The visit combined lectures, site visits, and field-based learning, offering fellows valuable insights into Iceland’s land restoration efforts.

The trip began with a drive to Gunnarsholt, one of LFI’s key centers for research and land restoration. Fellows were introduced to the organization’s work, including strategies to combat land degradation and promote sustainable land use. A highlight of the visit was the Sagnagarður exhibition, which showcases the history of land degradation and restoration in Iceland and provides important context for current practices.

After the visit to Gunnarsholt, fellows returned to Reykjavík, where they continued learning about LFI’s diverse operations through a series of presentations and discussions. These sessions deepened their understanding of restoration practices, monitoring, and management approaches.

The group later returned to Gunnarsholt for hands-on field experience. During a guided tour of the experimental areas, fellows observed restoration techniques in practice and gained first-hand insight into long-term land management strategies in Iceland’s unique environment.

A key component of the programme was the fellows’ own presentations on the theme “Linking knowledge and action.” This assignment allowed participants to reflect on their learning and connect it to challenges and opportunities in their home countries.

On a soft exit note, we extend our sincere regards to the LFI staff for their warm welcome and continued partnership within the GRÓ LRT Programme.