Land and Forest Iceland
Land and Forest Iceland starts its operations
1st January 2024
Today, the first of January 2024, a new organization takes over the role and obligations of two older organizations that at the same time belong to history, the Icelandic Forest Service (Skógræktin) and the Icelandic Soil Conservation Service (Landgræðslan). We begin a formative period under the leadership of Ágúst Sigurðsson, who holds the position of director of Land and Forest.
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.