Lost to Climate Researchers Join the Annual Sheep Roundup in Strandir
Researchers from the Icelandic case study of the international research project Lost to Climate followed the annual sheep roundup and sorting in Kjósárrétt in Strandir last saturday. The researchers, Jóhanna Gísladóttir and Matthias Kokorsch from the University Centre of the Westfjords, travelled to Árneshreppur in Strandir, to observe the sheep gathering and sorting process, meet local residents, and discuss the importance of sheep farming and related traditions in the region. During the visit, they also documented the event through photographs and video recordings that will contribute to the project's ongoing research and public outreach activities.
For generations, the annual sheep roundup has been an important part of rural life in Iceland. Beyond its practical role in livestock management, it serves as a social and cultural event that brings communities together and helps sustain knowledge, skills, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. In many parts of the country, réttir remain among the most visible expressions of Iceland's agricultural heritage and cultural identity.
The Lost to Climate project explores how climate change may contribute to the loss or transformation of cultural heritage across the Arctic region. The Icelandic case study focuses on the cultural significance of sheep and sheep farming traditions, examining how environmental, economic, and social changes may influence their future. In doing so, the project seeks to better understand what communities value and how cultural practices can be maintained and adapted in a changing climate.
The fieldwork in Árneshreppur provided an opportunity to engage directly with people who continue to participate in and preserve these traditions. Conversations with local residents offered valuable insights into the meanings attached to sheep farming, the role of réttir in community life, and the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities today.
The research team will continue this dialogue with the wider public next Saturday at Vísindavaka (European Researchers' Night) in Reykjavík. Visitors to the event will be invited to learn more about the Lost to Climate project and to share their perspectives on the value of sheep, sheep farming, and the cultural heritage associated with these traditions in Iceland.
