Land and Forest Iceland
Sesson on the importance of soil
4th June 2026
16:00 to 17:30
Sæmundargata 11,
101 Reykjavík
What is healthy soil really worth? What kinds of life are hidden in the soil beneath our feet? And how can we reverse the current trend and treat this remarkable yet limited resource with greater care?
At a symposium held in the Nordic House Reykjavík 4 June, we will delve into the hidden world of soil in search of answers to these important questions. In addition, we will hear about—and get a ‘sneak peek’ of—the exhibition ‘Membrane,’ which officially opens at the Nordic House on June 6, and which indeed revolves around soil. Guests will also be able to take home a paper bag of compost from the University of Iceland’s brand-new composting machine.
PROGRAMME
Keynotes by:
Thomas Crowther, an ecologist and professor at ETH Zürich. He leads the Crowther Lab, founded the Restor platform for ecosystem restoration, and serves on the advisory board for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Kristín Sigurðardóttir, an emergency physician with a holistic view of health who has always been involved in health promotion, prevention, and education. She teaches at the Faculty of Medicine, Reykjavík University, and sits on the Public Health Council of the Icelandic Medical Association.
Panel Discussion:
Kristín Sigurðardóttir, emergency physician
Ólafur Arnalds, professor emeritus in soil science at the Agricultural University of Iceland
Salvör Jónsdóttir, planner
Light refreshments and drinks will be served.
NOTE: The first 20 guests will receive Thomas Crowther’s latest book, Nature’s Echo: Harnessing Ancient Feedback Loops to Heal a Changing Planet, as a gift! The book is released on the same day as the symposium.
The event is organised by the Nordic house, the Sustainability Institute at the University of Iceland, Landvernd, the Iceland Nature Conservation Association, the Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association, The Icelandic Horticultural Society, ALDIN gegn loftslagsvá, Á heildina litið and Land and Forest Iceland. It will be held in Icelandic and English.