How we are creating a forest in this barren patch of Iceland

Iceland is a strange place to plant trees but for us it is one of the most logical places to try and bring back forests. In this video we tell you a bit more about the context around our projects and also some concrete details on how we are planning to plant 1 million trees here.

START REWILDING OUR PLANET TODAY
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With us, you will restore nature and fight climate change every month
🌲 Plant native trees to capture carbon
🐺 Rewild habitats to support biodiversity
🦫 Support underfunded species and ecosystems

💪 OUR PARTNERS IN THIS VIDEO
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⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
0:00 Intro
1:07 History
3:11 Our Project
7:51 Our planting site

🔎 ABOUT THIS PROJECT
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Iceland is known for its vast open landscapes shaped by massive volcanos and expansive glaciers. Native birchwoods, the only woodland type to form in Iceland, are also an important part of the landscape. They offer food and shelter for biodiversity, help stabilise soil, provide wind breaks, and sequester carbon. At one point, it is thought that 25-40% of Iceland was covered in birchwoods. Now, it is a mere 1.5%. This project, in partnership with the Iceland Forest Service, aims to restore birchwoods to an area about 120km east of Reykjavik where natural succession could take centuries or even millennia.

[MossyEarth]

*PS If you were wondering why it is 1, 000, 001 well that extra tree is for the one I planted wrong! - Cheers, Duarte

[mikimakotini]

As an Icelander, this is beautiful! There is an old joke in Iceland that says "If you ever get lost in an Icelandic forest, just stand up!" Interesting to think that many decades from now I might be telling my grandchildren about how the land used to be barren in the middle of an actual Icelandic forest.

[me-mljx]

The reason I chose to sponsor Mossy Earth over other organisations is because you guys start small, make mistakes and learn how to do it right before expanding. It actually gives me more faith that you’ll make a genuine difference, even if it’s on a smaller scale, rather than take on a big bombastic project that fails utterly because there was no sense of scope.

[cartermize]

there should be a group devoting this much energy, passion and transparency into creatively rewilding the US. we have many groups working on ecological restoration, but mossy earth is inspiring in its dedication to documentation + the support model.

[alexv]

At the time of discovery, Iceland was 40% forested and greatly resembled Norway. The trees were mostly cleared for farmland in the ensuing centuries, and never came back. It's so heartening to know that humans are in fact capable of enriching their environments rather than just destroying them

[percederberg]

Very impressed by the transparency of commenting on the tree planting from last year. Although it had a million views, few would remember it by now. But this type of honesty is what will make me a supporter for the long run. Love your work!

[Solstice]

You guys are rewilding a desert faster than UK's government can make a small woods, hat's off. I can't wait to see how it turns out along with the Scotland project

[juncusbufonius]

I have been in conservation for over 30 yrs and I think you are at the head of the curve. Most of my work is taken up with data management and modelling to aid in conservation and prevent bad human activities. This episode is a prime example of what people need to do or to encourage them to do something near them. Thanks, wish I was 30yrs younger but at least there is action where before there was just hope.

[simonlewis]

I laughed at the comment that a million people had seen you plant in the wrong place. But I’d congratulate you on a million views showing the interest in your dreams. Keep on planting and educating us.

[StephFish]

That jello ground effect is crazy, I've never seen anything like it. Will be curious to see what it's like after some trees take in the sturdy patches

[camillastacey]

I'm in Svalbard at the moment and was having a conversation about the lack of trees here (understandable considering the environment), there are a couple of species that do exist here but their height is very limited. I mentioned your project in Iceland so it was a nice surprise to see this video when I got in.

[testicalfestical]

Amazing journey, I cant wait for this island to get completely reformed

[heliumneonlights]

I always watch the full ads on YouTube to help Mossy Earth how I can. They’re doing so much for the nature and it makes me so happy and inspired watching these efforts. Please never stop your work. 😊

[NoobCraftCasting]

Its that extra 1 thatll make the difference

[erikfinnegan]

What stood out for me in this video is the honest reflection of past mistakes with(!) video proof: how to, and how NOT to, plant trees in Icelandic soil. Indeed, that's what pilot projects are useful for, and that's why Mossy Earth is such a great organisation.

I consider my money well spent with these guys.

[melvinvanhaperen]

I cant wait to see how it will turn out over the coming years!

[sassa]

Lupin is a miracle plant! The best thing that has happened to Iceland.

[novedad]

I love to think that my contribution that month went to plant that specific tree that Duarte planted on camera for 1M ppl to see

[Hverhvarhvert]

As an Icelander I'm super happy and proud to watch this, amazing effort! Is there a chance for the public to take part in any way other than financial backing?

[elineeugenie]

Together We Will Save The Planet👍👍👍💜💜💜