Tundra Restoration Project - Campfire Damage Data Collection

By participating in our project, your holiday in Northern Norway will contribute to restoring our fragile tundra. You will be leaving a positive impact behind on local ecosystems & the local community. Joining this activity will show Tromsø that travelers value authentic Responsible Tourism practices.

Why is this project so important?

Having a campfire while waiting for northern lights is common practice. Most northern lights hunters consider that gathering around a campfire is part of the experience. They expect it and value it when it comes. A campfire gives a feeling of safety at night in the wilderness. It warms up the body while waiting in freezing temperatures. It also gives a sense of community by bringing people together, both literally and emotionally. To many tourists and aurora guides, it is unimaginable to go through the night without a campfire.  

But with the explosion of tourism around Tromsø over the past decade, campfires have become a nuisance. They are more numerous every season, and leave long-lasting black patches of burned vegetation, while trees and their bark are also targeted to fuel the campfires. These visible degradations show a lack of awareness. Alternatives such as using fire bowls and buying wood locally are still uncommon. 

Additionally, campfires are a part of Norwegian culture. Spending time outdoors around a fire is integral to the Norwegian way of life. Though the international tourism boom has a major role to play in Tundra damage, it's important to recognise that damage is also being done by locals, indicating that education and behaviour changes for local people must also be researched, understood, and mitigated. 

 Wild Lab Projects partners with The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and collaborates with Wandering Owl to research and find solutions to the proliferation of campfires and their associated habitat degradations.

What will you experience?

- Take part in a research project and become a citizen scientist 

- Learn our validated scientific method that Wild Lab Projects have co-designed with NINA

- Contribute to solving the data collection problem - that the wilderness is immense & there are not enough helpers! 

- Come along with a small group of like-minded people; meet, connect and spend time with people who have similar interests 

- Spend time in nature & experience Norwegian fjords with collecting data

- Chance of seeing the elusive Aurora Borealis

- Learn new skills​ 

- Participate in meaningful action, get a sense of purpose and achievement​ 

- Support nature conservation

What are the goals of the project?

- Collect data needed by NINA and Wild Lab Projects to document the damages done by campfires

- Collect data needed by NINA and Wild Lab Projects to understand the human behaviours behind campfire building

- Increase awareness among the participants and generate interest in protecting our tundra

- Offer travellers alternatives that benefit science & nature conservation​

- Generate more data & knowledge to help solve the monitoring challenges

- Encourage the participants to continue responsible wilderness practices in their home countries

What's the project plan?

This project takes place on Kvaløya or Ringavasøya and runs for four hours. During your citizen science activity, we'll search together along the northern Norwegian coastline to find the best place to take data on Tundra damage. After we have collected the data, we'll warm up with a hot chocolate and have a chat together about the role the tundra plays in our local ecosystems and why the data you have collected is so important. Don't forget to look up into the sky where you might see the Northern Lights. If we are lucky and gaps in the clouds appear, you could have a phenomenal citizen science experience. This citizen science initiative is the best way to enjoy an ethical evening in the wilderness on the coast of northern Norway and to contribute to the monitoring of Tundra damage. After enjoying our famous home-made vegan & gluten free hot chocolate, we'll head back to Tromsø city centre.

Details about this project

Season: Autumn & winter
Duration:  4 hours
Group size: 3 - 8 adults
Minimum age: 13 years old (please assess your teenager's interest for this activity, as all participants are required to contribute for the entirety of the project)
Meeting time: 21:55 in front of Scandic Ishavhotel
Departure: 22:00 
Inclusions: All data collection equipment needed, a torch, hot chocolate, biscuits, tea & coffee. 

Safety considerations: This project involves walking, being in/on cold ground, handling equipment, handling tools, and carrying equipment on challenging terrain. The conditions and terrain may be wet, icy, slippery, uneven, muddy, snowy, sandy, or otherwise. The temperatures may be hot or cold and will likely be windy, snowy & rainy at times so please ensure you are wearing appropriate clothing. Ask us for information & clarification about what is considered appropriate so we can ensure you are properly prepared.

Important information you need to know before booking: This activity is not a private activity. Because this project is focused on giving a positive impact on the local community, our chosen routes, and equipment have been specifically selected because it meets our needs and doesn't unnecessarily increase our impact.