"Reykjavík's natural environment is truly extraordinary. Few cities worldwide can match these natural features: wild birds on a pond, glacier-sculpted rocks, a salmon river, untouched shorelines, island-dotted straits, wooded groves, pseudo-craters, fossilized sediments, lava fields and geothermal areas, just to name a few," said Sólrún Harðardóttir, naturalist and curriculum developer, during yesterday's official launch of natturareykjavikur.is at the Reykjavík Botanic Garden.
The website serves children, teens and anyone interested in Reykjavík's environment and natural features. It explores topics in geology, biology and geography while offering a variety of hands-on activities and projects.
Resources for teachers, instructors and parents
The website is specifically designed for children to use alongside adults, whether teachers, after-school activity leaders, parents or other family members and friends. A dedicated section covers field trip planning and required equipment. The site features regular news updates, with an option to subscribe.
Sólrún created and manages the website, with guidance from several advisers, notably Professor Emeritus Hrefna Sigurjónsdóttir and Helga Snæbjörnsdóttir, a teacher at Hlíðaskóli.
The project received funding from the Educational Materials Development Fund, Hagþenkir, University of Iceland and Reykjavík City.
Everyone is invited to explore this engaging and informative website!
Benedikt Traustason, project manager at Reykjavík City's Environmental Quality Office, Sólrún Harðardóttir, website creator, and Hafsteinn Grétarsson from Reykjavík City's Outdoor City program.