Landgræðsluskógar – Land Reclamation Forests
The Land Reclamation Forests project was launched in 1990 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Icelandic Forestry Association. The association’s members, in co-operation with many other organisations, began planting trees under the banner of the Land Reclamation Forests that same year and to date over 15 million trees have been planted, in over 130 areas around the country.
Tré ársins – Tree of the Year
The IFA nominates a specific tree as Tree of the Year. The nomination is intended to highlight the good work done in Iceland in the cultivation of trees and forests and point out the cultural, environmental and historical value of trees. The nomination can be based on a variety of factors, such as the size, history or rarity of the tree species in question. A tree has been nominated annually from 1993. For more information on the nominated trees click here!
Kolviður – Iceland Carbon Fund
The Iceland Carbon Fund (ICF) was founded by the IFA and the Icelandic Environment Association in 2007. The goal of the fund is to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in vegetation and soils. The fund enables people to calculate their transportation-related CO2 emissions and to buy an offset for those emissions. The amount paid goes towards forestry projects, such as tree planting. Further information is available on the ICF website: https://kolvidur.is/english/
Opinn skógur – Open forest
Open Forest is a co-operative project between the forestry associations in Iceland and various corporate sponsors. The goal of the project is to enable greater public recreation in forests and forestry sites, by opening the forest up to recreation through setting up facilities and providing educational information on the nature and history of each forest. To date 17 forests, all over the country, have been opened under the banner of the project.
Yrkja – Yrkja Fund
The Yrkja Fund was established in 1992. The initial capital of the fund consisted of proceeds from the sale of the book Yrkja, published to commemorate the 60th birthday of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, then president of Iceland. At her request the interest from the fund is used to purchase plants for elementary school children. The response from the schools in Iceland has been very positive, with about half the schools in the country taking part each year. The IFA supervises the day to day activities of the Yrkja Fund, in collaboration with the Fund ‘s board. The Fund has its own website – www.yrkja.is.
Landgræðslusjóður – Land Reclamation Fund
The fund was established in 1944. From 2002 the fund has derived most of its revenue from interest on capital, with additional revenue from real estate. The main aim of the fund has from the outset been afforestation – re-establishing the forest cover in the country. The fund is also involved in general land reclamation and soil and vegetation conservation. The fund gives grants to individuals, institutions and organisations, with the IFA and its member associations in particular receiving support from the fund.
