Role

Land and forest is a governmental institution in the field of vegetation and soil resources playing an important role in research, monitoring, and education concerning the protection, restoration and improvement of these resources as well as promoting their sustainable use. The main objectives of the Institute are thus to improve the nation's vegetation and soil resources, sustainable land use, monitor and maintain an overview, promote carbon sequestration and to mobilise and educate the public and stakeholders on vegetation and soil protection, sustainable use of land, development and restoration of ecosystems, forests and forestry.

The activities are based on broad national and international collaboration with research institutes and universities, maintaining extensive links with various policies, programmes and international commitments of the nation. The Institute operates in accordance with the public policy and vision for revegetation and forestry - the National Plan for Revegetation and the National Plan for Forestry. The Institute operates offices and work facilites across the country and takes care of national forests, state owned land and reclamation areas throughout.

The special legislation that applies to the Institute is: Act No. 66/2023 on Land and Forest Iceland, Act no. 155/2018 on Soil Conservation and Act no. 33/2019 on Forests and Forestry.

The agency is under the auspices of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.

Value

The values of Land and Forest Iceland are:

• Knowledge - All the work of Land and Forest Iceland is based on evidence-based knowledge that is subject to constant revision and research.

• Co-operation - Without extensive cooperation with domestic and foreign stakeholders, no progress can be made. Therefore, Land and Forest Iceland places great emphasis on positive and professional collaboration both within the institution and outside.

• Trust - Putting its trust on knowledge and cooperation, Land and Forest Iceland seeks to build trust in its operations which is the prerequisite for progress.

Future vision

Land and Forest Iceland is known within the country and abroad as a trusted body of knowledge and expertise. It has achieved outstanding results in improving the vegetation and soil resources of the nation and promoting their sustainable use.

Detailed role and objectives

Land and Forest Iceland implements the Land and Forest Act, the Soil Conservation Act and the Forest and Forestry Act and works according to the National Plan Land og líf. The main tasks of the Institute are the vegetation and soil resources of Iceland, with emphasis on:

• Healthy and diverse ecosystems.

• Nature-based solutions.

• Sustainable land use.

• Knowledge, collaboration and public health.

• Positive regional development.

The Institute has the duty to provide assistance and advice to the Minister and perform other tasks entrusted to the Institute by law, regulations or a decision of the Minister.

By law, the role of Lands and Forest Iceland is namely to:

Organisation structure of Land and Forest Iceland

(as of 1 January 2024)

The Land and Forest Iceland is managed using a matrix organisational structure where supporting divisions cross the professional ones. Each division is led by a Head of Division and the role of the Director is leadership, coordination and oversight. The regional directors form an executive council together with the director. The Executive Council is in charge of daily administration of the Institute with regulaar meetings. Generally, Executive Council meetings also include the deputy director, human resources manager and the public relations manager. The participation of the managers of human resources and public relations in the Executive Council meetings underscores the agency's emphasis on the value of effective and strategic human resources and active information delivery to staff and society.

Supporting Divisions

In addition to the Director's Office, the Institute has two divisions of support services: Data, Communication and Innovation, and Centre for Services and Finance.

Professional divisions

There are five professional divisions:

Activity-led projects cross divisions of the institution and strong emphasis is placed on ensuring coordination and collaboration between divisions in ways considered most effective.

Emphasis for 2024-2026

• Land og líf - Action Plan in Soil Conservation and Forestry 2022-2026.

• Operation of the Institute.

• Projects within and between divisions.

• Invested parties.

• Domestic and foreign cooperation.

• Main objectives.

• Secondary objectives.

• Actions - indicators - objectives.

• Current position - position after 2 years (and 8 years as the case may be).

• Main emphasis from the law perspective.

• Improve the nation's resources.

• Utilise land sustainably.

• Monitor and keep an eye on things.

• Reduce emissions and sequestrate carbon.

• Mobilise the public and educate.

Action Plan Under "Land og líf"

Action - description - responsibility - partners - timeframe - performance indicators - funding

A total of 27 actions are defined in "Land og líf", of which Land and Forest Iceland is responsible for 22.

Main operational priorities of the Institute

Baseline assumptions:

• Building on all the good work done by former two institutes, the Icelandic Soil Conservation Service and the Icelandic Forest Service

• Let us have a clear vision and base our work on sound knowledge.

• Scientific basis and best practice.

• Let us set measurable goals and work towards them.

• We will develop an attractive workplace that supports staff - encourages and empowers - promoting a good balance between work and private life.

• Let us seek cooperation within and outside Iceland to increase our power and add knowledge.

• Let us do a good job, make use of our strengths and achieve excellent results.

To supplement the law, let us set 5 main priorities for the work of Land and Forest Iceland:

• Ensuring coordination of divisions and efficiency of operations.

• Ensuring efficient use of infrastructure.

• Progress in research, monitoring, development and scientific cooperation.

• Enhance human resources and teamwork.

• Ensure trust and good reputation.

• Measurable goals and performance indicators.

It is expected that the strategy and organisation of Land and Forest Iceland will be reviewed before the end of 2026 or earlier if necessary.