Vorviður is a project launched by the Icelandic Forest Service at the end of 2020 as part of the Government’s Climate Action Plan. The purpose of the project is to strengthen cooperation with voluntary organisations and to support afforestation initiatives aimed at improving land use and contributing to climate action. The project was supported by a special funding allocation from the Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources.

Responsibility for Vorviður was transferred to Land and Forest Iceland in 2024. It was decided to continue the project, with a revised approach. Instead of providing financial support for the purchase of seedlings, assistance was offered exclusively in the form of tree seedlings. Initially, three species were available: downy birch, lodgepole pine and Sitka spruce. In 2025, two additional species were included: black cottonwood and Siberian larch. A total of 70,000 seedlings were planned for distribution that spring.

Nineteen organisations applied for a combined total of 50,120 seedlings. Demand was therefore below the number of seedlings available, which allowed for the approval of all applications. However, it subsequently became clear that it would not be possible to fulfil requests for larch seedlings due to significant losses in larch production at forest nurseries.

Implementation of the project proceeded well overall. Seventeen organisations collected the seedlings allocated to them, amounting to a total of 35,203 seedlings, with an estimated value of ISK 3,636,024. These results are presented in the Vorviður annual report for the past year. Applications for next summer's projects will be announced shortly.

The accompanying photograph showcases a planting initiative undertaken by Barnaheill at Skálholt in Biskupstungur, alongside an image depicting junior foresters from the Stykkishólmur Forestry Association. We extend our gratitude to both organisations for providing these images.