Iceland launches plan to restore 225 hectares of wetlands
The government initiative began at Sogn in Ölfus on 2 October, with work planned across five state-owned properties and around 23 kilometres of drainage ditches.
Iceland has launched a new initiative to restore wetlands on state-owned land, with 225 hectares targeted for restoration this autumn and approximately 23 kilometres of drainage ditches due to be blocked.
The initiative began at Sogn, a state-owned property in Ölfus, on 2 October 2026, according to the Government of Iceland's announcement. Environment, Energy and Climate Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson marked the launch as work began at the site.
Why wetland restoration matters
Drainage ditches lower water levels in wetland soils. Restoring wetter conditions can help recover wetland habitats and reduce carbon losses from drained organic soils. The overall climate impact depends on site conditions and changes in greenhouse-gas emissions over time.
Iceland's Land and Forest Iceland agency describes monitoring methods that include measuring water levels, soil conditions, vegetation and greenhouse-gas emissions. Such monitoring helps assess whether restoration is delivering its intended environmental benefits.
A wider state-land initiative
The 225-hectare target covers five state-owned properties. At Sogn, the government announcement identifies approximately 25 hectares for restoration and more than four kilometres of drainage ditches for blocking.
The programme forms part of a broader, five-year government effort to protect and restore ecosystems on state-owned land. It also supports the government's wider climate and biodiversity objectives.
According to the government, planned restoration projects for 2026 and 2027 could together exceed the area restored in Iceland over the previous 30 years. This is a projection that depends on the planned work being carried out; it is not a completed result.
Wetland restoration is one approach to addressing emissions associated with drained land. Its effectiveness must be assessed over time, alongside the recovery of habitats and other ecosystem functions.
Sources: Government of Iceland — Government Initiative Launched to Restore Wetlands on State-Owned Land; Land and Forest Iceland — Wetland Restoration.
Editorial note: This version corrects the reported launch date using the government announcement and distinguishes planned restoration from completed work. It is a source-based report, not a claim of independent field reporting.
Tips, corrections or questions: ritstjorn@frettir247.news
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