Iceland review - 2007, Side 96

94 Pure energy
One example of “Pure Energy” is in the nature of the Reykjavík area. After
all, so much energy – in the real and the emotional sense – comes from our
environment. And no one understands this better than the people at the
Department of Environment in the City of Reykjavík.
green stePs in reykjavík
In the next few years, the city of Reykjavík plans to become a model city
for environmental awareness. People driving environmentally friendly cars
– those with reduced fuel consumption or using alternative sources of fuel
– will be allowed to park for free in the city center. Cycling and walking
paths will also be widened, and the main one from Aegisída to Ellidaárdalur
will have extra water fountains and will be heated in winter. There will be
special paths created for commuting school children and those near seniors’
residences will be heated and have special benches and railings.
municiPal working school
The Reykjavík Municipal Work School provides all young people in the final
three grades of primary school in Reykjavík with the opportunity to have
varied summer jobs in different work areas, both in and outside the city.
Approximately 70 percent of students in these grades enroll in the Work
School. The youngsters receive training in practical work, the use of common
tools and instruments and instruction in numerous areas affecting their daily
environment and future. The Work School also operates important prevention
programs.
nature school oF reykjavík
The Municipal Working School is run only during the summer, but there
are also activities going on year-round. One such initiative, launched
in September 2005, is the Nature School of Reykjavík, a joint operation
between the Departments of Environment and Education along with the
Icelandic Environment Association and the Reykjavík Forestry Association.
This program links the environment and young people together. Students
in the schools make regular trips to forests and parks to better learn
about nature and the environment. The Nature School also gives advice to
teachers who regularly take their students outside – like on the seashore
– for lessons.
neighborhood Forests
Forests are not the strong point of Icelandic nature. Nevertheless, wooded
areas are being created, many of which were planted by some of the first
students in the Municipal Working School.
In order to make use of these new woods, the Departments of
Environment and Education, along with the Reykjavík Forestry Association
and the Icelandic Forest Service, are pairing primary schools with sections
of nearby forest (e.g. the woods of Öskjuhlíd or Heidmörk). The students visit
it, keep it clean, learn about the flora and fauna there, and other activities
such as wood carving. There are many schools enrolled in the scheme with
the number always increasing.
grasagardur botanical garden
The Department of Environment is responsible for the maintenance of all
the parks in the city, including the Grasagardur Botanical Garden, in the
Laugardalur Valley. In this one place, visitors can see a big part of the
Icelandic flora together with a variety of foreign plants. During the summer,
the Botanical Garden holds numerous educational events for its visitors. If
you just want to sit and relax, the Botanical Garden’s popular Kaffi Flora is
highly recommended.
umhverfissvid.is
in our nature
reykjavík City – departMent of environMent