In recent years, the employees of the Icelandic Marine Research Institute and Land and Forest Iceland's staff in West Iceland have been working on a project based on comprehensive restoration of ecosystems. It evaluates the impact of restoration of wetlands in the Mýrar coastal region on the habitat of fish and birds, vegetation, soil properties and land use.

Commencing in 2021, research on the Kálfalækur water area revealed that wetland drainage had disrupted fish migration routes within the area's streams. Furthermore, this drainage had adversely affected fish spawning and breeding grounds. Following years of preparation and collaboration with landowners, the initial phase of the Kálfalækur and Blöndulækur river basin restoration project is scheduled for implementation this autumn, with the primary objective of ditch closure. The project aims to reinstate the original river channels, thereby restoring fish spawning and breeding habitats, avian habitats, and the pre-existing marshlands.

Mossy Earth, a membership-based organisation sustained by global public contributions, is providing support for this project. Their prior work in Iceland encompasses tree planting and ambitious wetland initiatives. Driven by a passion for outdoor activities and nature conservation, Mossy Earth focuses on projects that restore ecosystems to a wild and sustainable state. Their initiatives prioritise the enhancement of wildlife and biodiversity, while also addressing global climate change. The organisation places a strong emphasis on keeping its members informed about project progress and successes, as demonstrated by the recent video release concerning the project west of Mýrar.

• The project website

• The Mossy Earth website