Lendisbati is a project of the Faroe islands National Museum which purpose is to work towards restoring the degraded landscapes in the Faroe Islands. The main focus is to prevent soil erosion, improve biodiversity, and to restore wetlands for carbon storage.
Faroese nature is fragile. Remnants of peat cutting can be seen as wounds in the terrain, and erosion is a common sight. The rough climate also applies continuous pressure on the land. Although humans have always been closely attached to nature, we have not always shown understanding and consideration towards the sustainability of our natural resources. Animal life and plant life are at risk because human activities do not always take nature into consideration. Climate change, as well, is an increasing risk - the pressure on nature may never have been greater than it is now. The purpose of Lendisbati is to improve these conditions.
The project is funded by sponsors, however, the National Museum of the Faroe Islands administers the project for free. All financial support therefore goes directly to the project.
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Sponsors
Norðurlendska ráðharraráðið
Aage V. Jensens Fonde
Land owners
Bjørn Kalsø - Blankskálagarður
Kristin Wilhelmsen - Stóri Ryggur
Jákup Kristian Bærentsen - Uttari Sundshagi
Pætur Bærentsen - Innari Sundshagi
Institutions
Miðnám Vestmanna
Landgræðslan (Ísland)
NIBIO (Norra)
Gróðurstøðin í Hoydølum
schools
Miðnám Vestmanna
News about Lendisbati
Projects and campaigns
the landslide , Heiman Gjónna
In the outfield called Heiman Gjónna on the island of Kalsoy, there’s a landslide which is being studied and restored. The outfield has 56 sheep. This number is substantially lower than back in the year 2000 when the landslide eroded. Since 2005 the number has been decreased systematically. The result is that the number of lambs to every ewe has increased, the autumn weight of lambs and ewes has increased, and the grazing is less intensive. The landslide is approx. 100 meters long, 30 meters wide, and 1,7 meter deep.
This year the area of the landslide has been fenced off from sheep, and initial investigations of the botany has started. Next year various restoration methods that apply to the Faroese terrain will be tested and developed. This will be done in cooperation with Icelandic consultants on restoration of nature, Miðnámsskúlan í Vestmanna (upper secondary education school in Vestmanna) and Gróðurstøðin í Hoydølum (the Nursery in Hoydalar).
the outfield, Hagin Stóriryggur
The outfield area called Stóriryggur is around 500.000 square metres wide. Kristin Vilhelmsen removed sheep from the outfield in autumn 2020 and the area has since then been left to grow and restore itself without human influence. Stóriryggur is now a nature preserved area. Lendisbati will study the vegetation and monitor the passive restoration in the field to observe closely how the enviornment changes with time.
Next year Lendisbati will map the vegetation in the outfield and start a monitoring process to document the changes in the vegetation over time.
the outfield, Uttari Sundshagi
The area above Kaldbaksbotnur is approx. 400.000 square metres wide, half of which is the area called Uttari Sundshagi and the other half is the area called Innari Sundshagi. The area is in 150-250 meters altitude from the sea level. The field will be fenced off from sheep and native plant species will be replanted.
Lendisbati will begin vegetation studies in the area. The long-term plan is to fence off the area to create a preserved area and to observe closely how the outfield develops over time. Native plant species such as juniper and willow will be planted in cooperation with Landgræðslan in Iceland, which has extensive knowledge and experience in restoration. Thereby, biodiversity is restored, furthermore natural areas become more accessible to the public. Footpaths and common areas will be placed in cooperation with a landscape architect.
the outfield, Innari Sundshagi
The area above Kaldbaksbotnur is approx. 400.000 square metres half of which is the area called Uttari Sundshagi and the other half is the area called Innari Sundshagi. The area is in 150-250 meters altitude from the sea level. The field will be fenced off from sheep so that vegetation can restore itself.
Lendisbati will soon initiate investigations of the growth in the area. The long-term plan is to fence off the area to create a preserved area and to observe closely how the outfield develops with time. Original plants such as juniper and willow will be planted in cooperation with Landgræðslan in Iceland, which has extensive knowledge and experience in restoration. Thereby, biodiversity is restored, furthermore natural areas become more accessible to the public. Footpaths and common areas will be placed in cooperation with a landscape architect.
the wetland, Kaldbaksbotnur
The area called Kaldbaksbotnur is a wetland under restoration. The area is approx. 13.000 square metres wide has been drained. The wetlands play and important part in the process of restoring biodiversity and to decrease the effects of climate change because of the ability of wetlands to uptake and store large quantities of carbon in the soil, and because they give shelter to rare plantspecies and certain species of birds that solely depend on wetlands. Lendisbati will do investigations of the vegetation in the area and observe closely how vegetation and the uptake of carbon improves and changes after the area has been restored. Lendisbati will also do botanical studies to identify the vegetation in the area historically.
For landowners
Lendisbati is responsible for all the areas in the Faroe Islands that are under restoration in cooperation with freeholders, copyholders, and other landowners. The measures are an offer to farmers and other landowners who voluntarily offer their land for the project. All steps are undertaken in close cooperation with the farmers who know their land the best and who, therefore, can give good advice and often are able to participate directly in the project.
The areas under restoration are spread over the whole of Faroe Islands. They vary in width and type thereby giving oppurtunity to develop knowledge and experience within a variety of land areas in the Faroe Islands such as grass fields, wetlands, and outfields.
Farmers and other landowners interested in restoring their land are welcome to contact the National Museum of the Faroe Islands.
ContacT
For sponsors
You can support Lendisbati financially and thereby secure the best possible conditions for our nature. All financial support goes directly to financing restorations measures, manpower, counselling from farmers and other experts, materials etc.
When supporting Lendisbati, you take part in creating the foundations for enhancing the biodiversity environment in the Faroese nature. You can follow the process, make a change, and see the change with your own eyes.
You support a project which aim is to restore natural areas in the Faroe Islands which again will enhance the biodiversity and people’s wellbeing. You ensure that coming generations have a safer future and give them the opportunity to experience a healthy and resilient nature in the Faroe Islands. With time carbon will be sequestered in the soil and the uptake of carbon will begin again. This way you take part in decreasing your environmental footprint and investing in a more sustainable future.
We use our nature in everything we do. It should, therefore, be a common responsibility to take steps to prioritise and secure the best conditions possible for our environment.
Lendisbati is ready to do its part together with landowners and natural scientists. Our cooperation with farmers who see the gains and benefits of the project is extensive. The project needs much manpower and this is also how Lendisbati prefers to do the work – together for nature.
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The logo
The artist, Jón Sonni Jensen, says about the logo for Lendisbati: The logo takes its starting point in the activities of Lendisbati. A round shape that leads your thought to a cycle. You can vagely see a geological cross section in the cycle. The upper part – in green – refers to the land, mountains, and ground surfaces. The bottom part – in black – refers to roots and all that is beneath the surface. The reference to roots is also conceptual as it refers to going back to the roots and the origin. There are no straight lines which makes the logo dynamic. The writing is soft, round, and organic, still clear and easy to read. The boldness of the font is the same in both text and logo. This adds to balance. The size of the font and the placement of the logo with regards to the name is also important. The logo has been placed in such a way that it underlines the core activity of Lendisbati. The logo hovers above and has the same breadth as the word BATI.
Lendisbati wishes to thank Jón Sonni Jensen for making us the beautiful logo.