The birch (Betula pubescens) is the only tree species that grew natural forests in Iceland before the settlement.  Still today it is an important species in forestry and reforestation. Every year considerable amounts of seed is collected and used to raise plants or sown straight into barren landscapes.

Here is a group of students from the upper secondary school in Selfoss collecting birch seed in Þjórsárdalur, South Iceland. There birch has grown in an area where former there were only barren sands. This birch forest is around 15 years old and has started producing seed.

Most of the students are taking a class in forestry and this is their contribution to land reclamation.