News

The Icelandic Forestry Association and the company 66°N have signed a five year contract of collaboration. The goal of the contract is to work jointly towards the cultivation of a recreational forest at Úlfljótsvatn, to increase environmental awareness of 66°N employees, sequester carbon and improve the environment.

The contract was signed in the Úlfljótsvatnskirkja church on Saturday, May 29th. After the signing the people present headed out to plant the first trees, in lovely weather. The day then concluded with a barbecue at the Scout outdoor centre at Úlfljótsvatn.

From left. Jónatan Garðarsson, chairman of the Icelandic Forestry Association and Helgi Rúnar Óskarsson, director of 66°N, shake hands after signing the contract. Photo: BJ

The planters happy with their work! Photo: BJ

The first issue of the 2021 Journal of the Icelandic Forestry Association (Skógræktarritið) has been published and posted to its subscribers. The issue contains, as usual, a range of articles on diverse aspects of forestry, including the use of poplar cuttings in forestry, the tallest oaks in Iceland, different tree combinations in forestry, forestry at Skálholt, forests as carbon sinks, an anthropological study of the forestry associations, generational shifts in forests, forestry in Reyðarfjörður and the supernatural side of forests.

The cover picture is a painting titled “Gróður jarðar” (Earth vegetation) by the Icelandic artist Tolli.

Skógræktarritið (formerly Ársrit Skógræktarfélag Íslands) is the only regular journal about forestry in Iceland and the main forum of writing by Icelandic foresters and others interested in the various aspects of forestry. The content of the publication is therefore very diverse and extensive.

The Mosfellsbær Forestry Association will be held on Tuesday, May 18^th, starting at 20:00 in the hall of Björgunarsveitin Kyndill in Mosfellsbæ, at Völuteigur 23.

Programme:

1. Election of chairman and meeting secretary
2. Board report 2020
3. Association’s accounts 2020
4. Amendments to the bylaws
5. Membership fee for 2021
6. Election of the board and auditor
7. Other items

Proposals for amendments of the bylaws will be put to the meeting. The proposal can be viewed on the Association’s website – www.skogmos.is

The meeting will conclude with a presentation by Brynjólfur Jónsson, director of the Icelandic Forestry Association, on the status, role and future vision of the Icelandic Forestry Association.

Due to Covid-19 there will be no refreshments on offer. The 2 m rule applies and hand sanitizer will be provided.

The Eyfirðingar Forestry Association will hold its annual general meeting at Hótel Kjarnalundur on Tuesday, starting at 19:30.

On the programme are regular meeting activities.

Due to uncertainty concerning gathering restrictions participants are asked to register at stjorn@kjarnaskogur.is (name, ID-number and phone number). Also possible to phone 866-4741.

The Facebook event for the meeting: https://www.facebook.com/events/373255723934687/

The Borgarfjörður Forestry Association will hold its annual general meeting 2021 at Hotel B59 in Borgarnes on Sunday, May 2nd, starting at 14:00.

Programme:

• Report of the outgoing chairman and future vision. Óskar Guðmundsson
• Annual accounts and membership fee. Laufey Hannesdóttir, treasurer.
• Discussions on the report and accounts.
• Elections and other matters.

The board of the Borgarfjörður Forestry Association.

The Hafnarfjörður Forestry Association hosts a birdwatching event in Höfðaskógur on Saturday, April 24, at 11:00-13:00. Guides are Hannes Þór Hafsteinsson and Steinar Björgvinsson. This event is part of the events of the city festival Bjartir dagar.

Easy hike through the forest and surroundings for the entire family. Don’t forget the binoculars!

The Icelandic Forestry Association wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you to everyone who supported us in 2020 and see you in the forest in 2021!

A few forestry associations are still selling Christmas trees:

Árnesingar Forestry Association, at Snæfoksstaðir, until December 23^rd, hours: 11-16. See: https://www.facebook.com/snaefokstadir

Eyfirðingar Forestry Association, at Kjarnaskógur, until December 23^rd, hours: 10-18. See: https://www.facebook.com/SkograektarfelagEyfirdinga

Mosfellsbær Forestry Association, at Hamrahlíð, until December 23^rd, hours 12-18. See: https://www.facebook.com/SkogMos/

Reykjavík Forestry Association, at Lækjartorg, until December 23^rd, hours: 16-20. See: http://heidmork.is/

The second issue of the 2020 Journal of the Icelandic Forestry Association (Skógræktarritið) has been published and posted to its subscribers. The issue contains a range of articles on diverse aspects of forestry, including outdoor education, the Tree of the Year 2020, the effect of pine wolly aphid on the survival and growth of scots pine in Iceland, whittling, mixed forestry, the foundation of Heiðmörk, the distribution and impact of broom moth on young forests and forestry statistics for 2019.

The cover picture is a painting by the artist Kristinn Már Pálmason, titled „Alien Hourgarden“.

Skógræktarritið (formerly Ársrit Skógræktarfélag Íslands) is the only regular journal about forestry in Iceland and the main forum of writing by Icelandic foresters and others interested in the various aspects of forestry. The content of the publication is therefore very diverse and extensive.

The Siglufjörður Forestry Association was founded on September 22, 1940 and thus just turned 80. The association initally got land in the eastern part of Hólsdalur and began planting there, but the land proved too difficult plant in, so the association moved to Skarðdsalur, which has been the main forestry site of the association since and is now the most northern planted forest in Iceland.

The Icelandic Forestry Association wishes the Siglufjörður Forestry Association a happy birthday!

A brief overview of the association‘s activities (in Icelandic) in honour of the birthday is available on the Trölli website.