Climate forests in Úlfarsfell

Description of the action and objectives

Green Deal action

The climate forests in Úlfarsfell are a partnership between Reykjavík City and the Reykjavík Forestry Association that began in 2020 and spans 10 years. The planned forestry area covers approximately 200 hectares. The primary goals of this initiative are to enhance carbon capture and develop outdoor recreation forests.

 

Implementation period

Planned completion in the second half of 2030

Status: In progress

Status report on July 1, 2025

12,203 trees and shrubs were planted across 6.9 hectares. A trial was conducted to distribute 300 cubic meters of compost over 0.1 hectares of sparse areas.

Older status reports

Below you can find older status reports with information on the progress of the action since its inception (if you're using your phone, it's better to turn it sideways).
  Timeline Progress description
  July 2024 In 2024, we planted 12,203 trees and shrubs across 6.9 hectares of land. The project has planted more than 104,000 forest plants in total. We conducted an experiment spreading compost on two barren areas totaling 0.1 hectares and seeded them with white clover and a grass seed mixture.
  January 2024 In 2023, 1,242 plants were planted. When including all plantings in Úlfarsfell, including those predating this project, the total area covers about 75 hectares, indicating that planting operations are approximately halfway complete. In the Climate Forest Project, over 92,000 forest plants have been planted.
  July 2023 In Úlfarsfell, 12,842 forest plants were planted on about 4.5 hectares. As before, emphasis was placed on planting in lupine patches and areas with disrupted vegetation cover. Some areas received plants for more than one year due to sparse initial plantings and using diverse species, making it beneficial to add other species for a more varied outdoor recreation forest. When counting all plantings in Úlfarsfell, including earlier plantings completed before this project began, the total area encompasses about 75 hectares, indicating that planting work is approximately halfway complete. In the Climate Forest Project, over 92,000 forest plants have been planted.
  January 2023 In 2022, 45 thousand plants were planted.
  July 2022 So far this summer, about 10,000 tree seedlings have been planted, and a significant amount of grass seed, white clover, and fertilizer has been distributed. Carbon sequestration is approximately 1,000 tons.

 

Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:

 

Reykjavík City departments:

 

Related actions

The table below contains actions; more information can be accessed by clicking the "action title" in the table.
Action name Status Completion Updated Departments
Climate forests in Úlfarsfell In progress 2030 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Development in Öskjuhlíð In progress 2024 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Construction in Austurheiðar Completed 2024 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Water Management Plan - Action Plan In progress 2025 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning
Department of Service & Innovation
Greenery on municipal land In progress 2030 July 2025 Department of Environment & Planning