Introduction to Norway University of Applied Sciences University, Evenstad

Participants: Amanda Bryan, Robert Coleman, Gareth Mason, Duncan Orr-Ewing, Rebecca Priestly, Paul Roberts, Ben Ross & Mahboobeh Shirkhorshidi

Leader: Marius Kjønsberg

Day 1, Wednesday: Travel Edinburgh-Oslo Arrived midnight. Overnight in airport hotel

Day 2, Thursday: Oslo- Evenstad, via Elverum Almenning: Site Visit to look at natural regeneration of Pine/ Birch Forest after forest fire approx. 15 years ago. Introduction to land and wildlife management issues. Elverum: Visit to Norsk Skogmuseum. Forestry museum with exhibits on forestry, hunting and fishing and associated species. Extensive external exhibits including traditional wooden buildings, timber processing and arboretum. http://skogmus.no/ Overnight at INU, Evenstad

Day 3, Friday: Evenstad – Trysil Evenstad: Tour of University campus and presentation on University and Curriculum. https://www.inn.no/om-hoegskolen/studiesteder2/studiested-evenstad Trysil: Visited offices of Glommen (owners forest management co-operative) to meet local experts on wildlife management. Discussion on moose management and control of large predators, particularly wolves. Trysil: Participated in river fishing with local guide, campfire dinner. Overnight in Cabins at Trysil Hyttegrend. http://trysilhytte.com/

Day 4, Saturday: Trysil – Fulufjällets National Park, Sweden – Evenstad Fulufjällets National Park: Hike through park viewing old growth forests and upland habitats including extensive areas of lichen cover. Visited one of the world’s oldest trees, a Norway Spruce circa 9,500 years of age and only around 12 feet tall at 950m elevation. Also looked at visitor management, interpretation and signage. http://www.nationalparksofsweden.se/choose-park—list/fulufjallet-national-park/ Return to and overnight at INU, Evenstad.

Day 5, Sunday: Evenstad – Folldal – Grimsbu Rondane National Park & surrounds: Site Visit to mountain area to view cabin developments and discuss impacts on reindeer habitat and management issues. Visit to NP outlooks. https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/eastern-norway/rondane-national-park/ Folldal: Folldal Mine Museum to view exhibits on mines and local wildlife. Grimsbu: Overnight at local farm guesthouse with opportunities to view wildlife including evidence of beaver habitat modification. Discussion on farming, forestry, hunting and how these are embedded in Norwegian culture. http://www.kvebergsoeya.com/index_01.asp

Day 6, Monday: Grimsbu – Dovrefjell National Park – Evenstad Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre, Villrein: Presentation from representative of Norwegian Nature Inspectorate regarding the structures of nature management in Norway, reindeer management and carnivore management. Snøhetta View Point: Guided walk to viewpoint, a limited development in Dovre National park only allowed due to historical mining and military infrastructure in the National Park. Sightings of Musk Ox, reintroduced to area in 1932. http://nvs.villrein.no/viewpoint-snhetta/

Oppdal: Visited centre of Arctic Fox breeding programme at around 1300m elevation. The site managed by NINA houses 8 pairs of breeding arctic foxes whose cubs are released into the wild annually.