iPROJECTS | BRIDGE BUILDER EXPEDITIONS - ICELAND.

“

The description of a country... It is true, beauty is pleasing both to our eyes and our thoughts; but gigantic nature often makes the most lasting impressions.

”

ICELAND 1772 by Uno von Troil, the expedition group’s first impressions of the Icelandic landscape.

INDEX

PROJECT YEAR | FIELD REPORTS

BACKGROUND SOLANDER 250 & THE VOYAGE IN 1772 FIELD STATION
NATURAE OBSERVATIO Micro.blog feed from The Field Station PUBLIC DOMAIN & CROWD SCIENCE PARTICIPANTS

(2022 and 2023)

BACKGROUND

The BRIDGE BUILDER EXPEDITIONS are the overarching definition for a series of contemporary and scientifically sustainable projects established by The IK Foundation, an undertaking which aims to inspire and contribute to an understanding of our shared planet! These projects are grounded in the concepts of retracing and lifting both practical and theoretical knowledge from the Linnaeus Apostles' journeys. The core of said projects revolve around a series of expeditions – with fieldwork in both rural and urban landscapes – which will be used to collect data and knowledge from several of the world's continents. This work incorporates a look into both cultural and societal values of specific regions as well as the measuring of the natural permutations of the landscapes travelled three centuries ago and if they have shifted with the passing of time. In essence the BRIDGE BUILDER EXPEDITIONS are a mixture of 18th century knowledge and 21st century know-how, two contrasting entities employed in unison to create an endeavour which is interdisciplinary but also groundbreaking within its field. These contemporary expeditions offer insight into the developments and constants of the world we live in, divergences which lay the groundwork for new avenues of knowledge.

SOLANDER 250 & THE VOYAGE IN 1772

In 2022, it is 250 years since the Swedish botanist and Linnaeus apostle Daniel Solander made a scientific expedition to Iceland. To commemorate the expedition the Embassy of Sweden in Iceland, together with Icelandic partners, has initiated one of the most comprehensive Swedish-Icelandic projects ever. The project invites Iceland to reflect on our common past, present and future. It extends over two years and involves more than 40 Icelandic partners in some 30 locations all over Iceland. The project is interdisciplinary and forward-looking, bringing art and science in conversation while exploring the Anthropocene. It furthers highlights the Nordic identity and promotes a Pacific-Arctic dialogue.

The Icelandic voyage set out from Gravesend in England on 12 July 1772, almost exactly a year to the day after Daniel Solander and Joseph Banks had returned from James Cook’s first voyage. Another Swede on the voyage was Uno von Troil, who came to accompany the twelve-man crew – primarily invited due to his interest in the Icelandic language. The ship rounded Dover and sailed towards the Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Cape Cornwall and northwards to Scotland, where local people were visited and botanical excursions undertaken. Not until 16 August did the ship head further north for Iceland and twelve days later reached its destination. The group stayed for six weeks on the island, where most of the time was devoted to Hafnarfjörður, botanical and geological fieldwork and visits to the volcano Hekla.

FIELD STATION | NATURAE OBSERVATIO | SOLANDER’S EYE
- in Vatnajökull National Park

The IK Foundation, The University of Iceland and The Embassy of Sweden in Iceland are working together to establish an autonomous research station, The Field Station | Naturae Observatio | Solander’s Eye, on Breiðamerkursandur, more specifically on Jökulnes.

The Field Station provides the opportunity to monitor the landscape biosphere, such a wildlife, weather, vegetation, atmosphere and more without human intervention in a remote area for up to one year.

Jökulnes has most of the characteristics of uninhabited wilderness, as there is little or no traces of traffic or other human activities there. A large part of the area was covered by a glacier in 1998 and therefore part of the glacial cap of Vatnajökull, one of the defined Wilderness of Vatnajökull National Park, when the national park was established. In 2019, Vatnajökull National Park was inscribed upon the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This Field Station aims to continue the work which Daniel Solander started in 1772 – in a spirit of scientific curiosity and support for ecological sustainability, and in fact collect millions of scientific data to understand this unique part of Planet Earth.

Micro.blog

A tiny stream of miscellaneous insights | feed from THE FIELD STATION | NATURAE OBSERVATIO | SOLANDER’S EYE

LATEST

20 Mar, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
6 MONTHS OLD ≈ 4,000 hours of autonomous and uninterrupted monitoring of the surroun...

Pär Ahlberger

(b.) 1962
DUTY: Participant, project leader of Solander250.
AIM: Initiated the Solander 250 – Bréf frá Íslandi project to commemorate a scientific expedition to Iceland in 1772 by Daniel Solander, Uno von Troil and Joseph Banks. Interconnect projects, people and knowledge for a better understanding of Natural & Cultural History.
EXPLORE MORE: An Apostle of Daniel Solander', iLINNAEUS | iMagazine | iStories
POST: Ambassador of Sweden to Iceland.

Þorvarður Árnason

(b.) 1960
DUTY: Participant, researcher.
AIM: Documenting the wild nature of the study area, especially through the use of visual recording devices (cameras). Observing and analysing seasonal changes in the different natural features and characteristics on location. Monitoring Aurora borealis activity. Participating in a novel interdisciplinary research project. Participating in outreach activities based on the Field Station´s data and findings.
EXPLORE MORE: Research Centre Hornafjörður
POST: Director of the University of Iceland´s Hornafjordur Research Centre. Associate research professor of integrated environmental humanities. Environmental filmmaker and photographer.

Olivia Diamanti Barredal

(b.) 1997
DUTY: Participant, back base assistant.
AIM: Assisting in the implementation of projects between the various organisations.
EXPLORE MORE: Solander 250
POST: Promotion intern at the Embassy of Sweden in Reykjavik.

Lars Buxbom

(b.) 1966
DUTY: Participant, Field Assistant/Technician.
AIM: My Aim is to assist with documentation and maintenance of the Field Station. I hope that my skills in trouble-shooting can be useful during the field survey. It will be a great opportunity to participate on a journey to Iceland.
POST: Electrical engineer, Roskilde, Denmark.

Tom Chicken

(b.) 1983
DUTY: Participant. Install and Commission fuel cell power system.
AIM: To establish a reliable power supply for the Field Station.
EXPLORE MORE: Fuel Cell Installation in the Arctic
POST: Technical director (CTO), Hungerford, England.

Will Clemens

(b.) 1984
DUTY: Participant, field assistant and audio expert.
AIM: Convey the importance of conservation of the wilderness through the medium of audio.
EXPLORE MORE: FROM CITY LIFE TO THE WILD a journey in pictures and music
POST: Composer, London, England.

Snævarr Guðmundsson

(b.) 1963
DUTY: Participant, researcher.
AIM: Monitoring and documenting geomorphological and glacier changes in the region.
EXPLORE MORE: South East Iceland Nature Research Center (Náttúrustofa Suðausturlands)
POST: Division manager and geography/glaciology researcher, Southeast Iceland Nature Research Center, Iceland.

Lars Hansen

(b.) 1960
DUTY: Participant, project leader for the Field Station project Field Station | Naturae Observatio | Solander’s Eye, researcher.
AIM: To strengthen our insight of the fieldwork that the so-called Linnaeus Apostles started almost three centuries ago. To understand Natural and Cultural History of Planet Earth – and hopefully building "new bridges of proficiency" between the past, present and future! The Field Station project is an important part of this work – an enterprise – to combine classical fieldwork with the technical opportunities of the future.
EXPLORE MORE: Field Station
POST: Head at The IK Foundation, London, England.

Viveka Hansen

(b.) 1962
DUTY: Participant, researcher, writer, back base assistant.
AIM: My aim is to get an increased understanding of natural history travels via the Arctic seafaring routes and Iceland, with a focus on documentation of personal belongings and textiles in the 18th century.
EXPLORE MORE: iTextilis
POST: Textile Historian. The IK Foundation, London, England.

Benjamin Hennig

(b.) 1978
DUTY: Participant, researcher.
AIM: My main research interests evolve around methods of geographic data analysis and visualisation. Therefore, my key interest includes the utilisation of data from the Solander’s Eye field station to provide insights into humanity’s impact on a location that can be described as a relatively untouched and remote spot of this planet. This will help to increase an awareness for questions around sustainability through the development of concepts for analysing, visualising and mapping these issues from the multifaceted data that is being collected. I see a great potential in the data from the field station to provide unique insights into an area that is considerably vulnerable to the impacts of global environmental change. This is not least valuable for a better public understanding of changing environments in the age of humankind and as a result highly beneficial for science communication.
EXPLORE MORE: Research group
POST: Professor of Geography at the University of Iceland's Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Sigurbjörg Hjörleifsdóttir

(b.) 1981
DUTY: Participant, back base assistant.
AIM: Assisting in the implementation of projects between the various actors and assisting with local knowledge.
EXPLORE MORE: Solander 250
POST: Promotion officer at the Embassy of Sweden in Reykjavik.

Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir

(b.) 1955
DUTY: Participant, researcher.
AIM: To document the biodiversity and seasonal change (phenology) of an ecosystem at a 50 year old glacier foreland wilderness area, impacted by climate change and fast changing physical environment as well as increasing threats of human activities, particularly tourism.
EXPLORE MORE: Tundra ecology
POST: Professor of Ecology, Faculty of Life- and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland.

Henry Mills

(b.) 1991
DUTY: Participant. Assisting with the fuel cell power supply design and installation.
AIM: To provide reliable power to the Field Station equipment. The application requires that the power supply endures the harsh climates and provides the autonomy required over three hundred of days without maintenance.
EXPLORE MORE: Fuel Cell Installation in the Arctic
POST: Technician/Sales manager, Hungerford, England.

Yulita Muspitasari

(b.) 1995
DUTY: Participant, researcher.
AIM: The research project aims to explore the question of how field stations can be used to complement and augment fieldwork and field experiences in the context of STEM & higher education as well as science outreach activities. I am also interested in exploring how the data collected from the field station can be utilized for further research in various disciplines.
EXPLORE MORE:
POST: Research Master Student on Islands and Sustainability (Erasmus Mundus Program)

Finnur Pálsson

(b.) 1956
DUTY: Participant, researcher.
AIM: Glacilogical research; surface energy balance; calving in Jökulsárlón.
EXPLORE MORE: Institute of Earth Sciences
POST: Project Manager in Glaciology, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland.

Adam Proctor

(b.) 1972
DUTY: Participant, Videographer.
AIM: Documenting the Field Station installation and the surrounding landscape.
EXPLORE MORE: Fortsunlight
POST: Freelance video producer and motion designer based in Fife, Scotland.

Graham Scott

(b.) 1964
DUTY: Participant at a distance. Graphic Design / UI Design.
AIM: Present the research information from the project both in print and online.
EXPLORE MORE: Human Design
POST: Graphic Designer in Hull, England.

Jeff Snoxell

(b.) 1971
DUTY: Participant, technical expert, webmaster.
AIM: Ensure the Field Station components are correctly configured, connected and fully operational.
EXPLORE MORE: Expedition to Svalbard with The IK Foundation
POST: Hardware and software specialist, Robin Hoods Bay, England.

Sæunn Stefánsdóttir

(b.) 1978
DUTY: Participant, administrator.
AIM: Documenting the wild nature of the study area, especially through the use of visual recording devices (cameras). Observing and analysing seasonal changes in the different natural features and characteristics on location. Monitoring Aurora borealis activity. Participating in a novel interdisciplinary research project. Participating in outreach activities based on the Field Station´s data and findings.
EXPLORE MORE: The University of Iceland's Institute of Research Centres
POST: Director of the University of Iceland´s Institute of Research Centres.

Søren Wiberg

(b.) 1972
DUTY: Participant. Field assistant/Technician
AIM: My essential contribution to the project is to design and build the hard ware to the Field Station.
EXPLORE MORE: Field Station | Naturae Observatio for external projects and organisations
POST: Forestry and Landscape engineer, founder and owner of the family company AluBox.

iPROJECTS

FIELD STATION

Named after Anton Rolandsson Martin

ANTHON ROLAND MARTINI

Birth registry from 1729

iPROJECTS

In The IK Foundation and The IK Workshop Society there are continually ongoing comprehensive projects, each having different character and format. In iPROJECTS the current works and ideas are presented - Expeditions, Fieldwork, Research, Presentation in progress, and much more... For regular updates, and to make full use of iLINNAEUS' possibilities, we recommend fellowship by subscribing to our monthly newsletter iMESSENGER.

NAME OF PROJECT

(Main title) The Linnaeus Apostles BRIDGE BUILDER EXPEDITIONS To Understand Planet Earth
(Subtitle) BRIDGE BUILDER EXPEDITIONS - Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
FIELD STATION | NATURAE OBSERVATIO | SOLANDER’S EYE

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

Iceland

SUBJECTS

Geography
18th century Studies'
Cultural History
History of Science
Natural History
Field Notes, Arts and Photography
Field station, long-term observations
Ecology

INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES

The IK Foundation, London England & EU
The University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
The Embassy of Sweden, Reykjavik, Iceland

PATRONAGE

This site/project has been made globally available in collaboration with:

Feel welcome to read more about how to take part...

TIMELINE

2021: Planning and financing.
2022 January - August: Planning, building and testing Field Station hard- & software.
2022 September: Activation of Field Station in the field.
2022 September - October: Field Station start to observe and collect data from the field.
2022 13-16 October: Live streaming on The 2022 Arctic Circle Assembly at Harpa Conference Center in Reykjavík, Iceland.
2022 - 2023: Observation and data collection from the field.
2023 (Spring): Evaluation, planning and decision on continued (2023-2024/2025) collection of observations and data via the Field Station.
2023 (Summer): Annual service and update of the Field Station.

PUBLICISE

LINKS | FURTHER READING