“
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
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...
ARCHIVE
15 Mar, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
26 Feb, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
23 Feb, 2023

EXPLAINER | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 @Haskoli_Islands
16 Feb, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
12 Feb, 2023

THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands @calltoearth
09 Feb, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
03 Feb, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
02 Feb, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
27 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
23 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
23 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
20 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
20 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
16 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 @Haskoli_Islands
14 Jan, 2023

EXPLAINER | THE FIELD STATION | SOLANDER’S EYE #Solander250 in #vatnajokullnationalpark @Haskoli_Islands
PUBLIC DOMAIN & CROWD SCIENCE
The BRIDGE BUILDER EXPEDITIONS are presented in detail on their dedicated sites under iPROJECTS within iLINNAEUS. Here anyone interested can receive visual and textual updates from our members in the field, as well as results which said expeditions will create. The results themselves will be accessible via iLINNAEUS under the Creative Commons licences which we operate within, as well as in printed articles and publications. Interested individuals and organisations with local knowledge within the geographical and subject areas which the expeditions will encompass are welcome to get in touch with the IK Foundation. What is today denoted as Crowd Science was something the Linnaeus Apostles had great adherence to. We are especially interested in reaching out to projects which have used or use modern interpretations of the Apostles' work in their own studies and research!
THE PARTICIPANTS
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.
- (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
Snævarr Guðmundsson
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.
- (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)
- (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.
- (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