Collect and sow birch seeds while they are available.

This autumn, the public are being asked to collect birch seeds and scatter them in selected, grazed areas throughout the country. The Forest Service and the Land Restoration Authority have joined forces for this initiative and are asking for the public's support in expanding the country's birch forests. The collection officially began on the day of Icelandic Nature, 16th September, but will continue for as long as seeds are available on the birch trees this autumn.  You can either return the seeds to the Forestry Society of Iceland and the Land Restoration Service in special collection boxes, or go on your own collection and sowing expedition. 

^{Schools in Hafnarfjörður have not been left behind in this important project.} 

^{Year 3 at Víðistaðaskóli is among the participants in the national campaign. A number of other nursery and primary schools in Hafnarfjörður have also taken part in this rewarding and important project.} 

Here's how to collect birch seeds 

Cardboard collection boxes are available from Bónus stores.

Cardboard collection boxes can be obtained from Bónus stores, where the seeds are also accepted in special bins set up by Terra. The bins will be removed from Bónus on 20 October, but that does not change the fact that, as long as the seeds can be found, it is ideal to go on your own collection and sowing expedition and plant seeds, for example, in the lava field between Norðurbær and Víðistaðatún behind the church, as well as the fact that lava mounds throughout the town are prime locations for sowing. It is also ideal to go for a walk around Ástjörn and in the Krýsuvíkur- and Helgafell areas, and to scatter seeds in areas where vegetation is sparse, the cover is broken, and there is fairly ample light for such a light-loving species. 

Information on how to collect seeds and distribute them can be found online. Birch forest.is.

If seeds are returned, it is essential to record where and when the seed was collected. This can be written on the campaign's box or on a label attached to the seed bag, if the collection box is not used. Please note that birch seeds must never be placed in plastic bags or other airtight containers. Paper or cloth bags are suitable for this, as are small cardboard boxes or cardboard containers made by hand. Seeds returned to collection points will be distributed in the autumn under the guidance of staff from Skógræktin and Landgræðslan.

Part of restoring birch woodland

The initiative is part of a drive to re-establish birch woodland, which covered at least a quarter of the country at the time of settlement. On poor land, carbon is often released because old soil is still decomposing. When the land is covered by birch forest, this emissions ceases and sequestration begins instead. Birch is a pioneer species that self-seeds extensively if left undisturbed. The birch therefore continues this work if it is successfully established in new areas. With this initiative, the Soil Conservation Association and the Forestry Service aim to raise public awareness and interest in strengthening nature and the spread of birch, willow and other vegetation across the country, as public participation is the key to success in environmental matters. Also working on the project are Terra, Prentmet Oddi, Bónus, the Lions Movement, the Forestry Association of Iceland and Landvernd.

See the website www.birkiskogur.is – for all information about the project

On Facebook, the campaign can be found under the name „ Collect and spread birch seeds “and likewise, content is shared on Instagram and in videos on YouTube. Among other things, instructional videos have been produced on collecting and sowing birch seeds. The public is encouraged to share this content on social media, but also to post stories and fun photos from their own seed-collecting and sowing trips.