Icelandic forestry association considers national name change

The Icelandic Forestry Association is considering a new name to better reflect its role as a national organisation, mbl.is reports. A proposal from the Reykjavík Forestry Society will be presented at the association’s annual general meeting this weekend.

The proposal says the association is the shared representative of all forestry societies in Iceland. A clearer name would emphasise its status as a national federation, clarify its role for the public, authorities and partners, and strengthen the position of its member organisations.

Suggested names include the National Association of Forestry Societies, the National Association of Icelandic Forestry Societies, Forestry Societies of Iceland and Skógræktin, or Forestry. The last name was previously used by a government institution that operated for more than a century and is now part of Land and Forest.

The proposal says the aim is to find a simple and clear name that reflects the association’s role as a shared support organisation and representative of forestry societies throughout the country.

Several other proposals will also be discussed at the meeting, including the preparation of educational material on the best ways to grow trees in lupine fields. Another proposal calls for an active website providing the latest information on research and cultivation techniques for people working at grassroots level.

The proposals say that forestry in an era of climate change requires continuous research. Forestry societies could play a stronger role by testing new tree species and planting material in different parts of the country.

The Icelandic Forestry Association was founded on 27 June 1930 at the national celebration at Þingvellir. Its main objectives are to promote forestry and tree cultivation, restore vegetation and cover the country with forests. It represents forestry societies, protects their interests and acts on their behalf when needed.

Jónatan Garðarsson is stepping down as chair after nine years. The only declared candidate is Sverrir Bollason, an engineer from Reykjavík who has served on the boards of both the Icelandic Forestry Association and the Reykjavík Forestry Society.

“Each period brings new challenges and issues to resolve, and that applies to forestry work just as it does elsewhere,” Bollason told Morgunblaðið. He said that more than a century ago, people were asking whether forestry in Iceland was possible at all, but that question had been answered positively long ago.

Bollason said the emphasis now needed to evolve and focus more on the value of the country’s forests. Outdoor recreation was probably the most valuable benefit forests currently offered, he said, providing shelter, colour, fragrance and tranquillity. He also pointed to opportunities in timber processing and said that planting new areas would therefore account for a relatively smaller share of forestry societies’ activities across the country.