Out into the Highlands

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of rangelands, sustainable land use, ecosystem restoration, and the role of farmers and other land users in these efforts.To mark the occasion, Land and Forest Iceland and the Agricultural University of Iceland are jointly organising a symposium at Hvanneyri on 19 November, with a particular focus on Icelandic conditions, challenges, objectives and future perspectives.

• Venue: Ársalur, top floor of Ásgarður, the main building of the Agricultural University of Iceland, Hvanneyri

• Date and time: Thursday, 19 November 2026, 10:00-15:00

Draft Programme

Themes

The symposium is intended to bring together research, policy development and practical experience. Topics may include:

• Grazing management and sustainable use of rangelands

• Maintaining and enhancing land condition

• Ecosystem restoration

• Research and environmental monitoring

• Use of data and digital technologies

• Experiences from farmers and land care associations

• Support schemes and incentive mechanisms

• Regulatory frameworks

• Future visions for sustainable land use

Land and Forest Iceland carries out a wide range of research, monitoring and educational activities relating to these topics and works closely with farmers and other land users through various land restoration, land monitoring and advisory programmes.The Agricultural University of Iceland also plays an important role in research and education in these fields. The university is a partner in the European DIGIRangeland project, which explores how digital technologies and innovation (DTI) can support sustainable livestock production based on rangeland grazing.

Call for Contributions

Land and Forest Iceland and the Agricultural University of Iceland invite proposals for contributions to the symposium, preferably short presentations or experience-based case studies. Anyone with relevant knowledge, experience or perspectives to share is encouraged to submit an idea.The organisers will review all submissions and prepare the final programme accordingly.Please send proposals no later than 4 November 2026 to:

• Jóhannes Sveinbjörnsson

  – jois@lbhi.is

• Sigríður Þorvaldsdóttir

  – sigga@logs.is

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Save the date. Registration will open once the final programme has been confirmed.