During these times of uncertainty, we like to share ways for you and our community to stay connected to nature anytime and anywhere to prepare, comfort and inspire.
Nature Is Waiting
It’s that time of year where we are pleased to be able to share with you the organizations selected for the Arctic Fox Initiative of 2020. There is no denying that it has been a more challenging year than we anticipated, which is why this year it’s more important than ever to focus on good causes that aim to preserve nature and wildlife and to inspire all people to spend more time with nature.
The Arctic Fox Initiative is an annual fund that we award to several nature-loving non-profit organizations with great ideas who need our collective support to continue to actualize their missions of appreciation and stewardship.
Fjällräven (arctic fox in Swedish) is not only our namesake, since 1994 we’ve been actively involved in protecting this endangered species across the Nordic countries. For the last 100 years, the Arctic Fox has been on the brink of extinction and successful mating in the wild has been dwindling. This is due to climate change, which also affects Lemming populations, the main food source for arctic foxes. At the last turn of the century, there were only 50 arctic foxes living in the wild in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Currently, due to conservation work, this number has now risen to 200 foxes in Sweden alone.
Every year Fjällräven co-sponsors an environmental stewardship Ph.D. position at the University of Stockholm. This enables the University to study arctic fox populations and to support in creating feeding stations ensuring a certain number of foxes recover within the university's own ‘Save the Arctic Fox’ program.
Today, for us at Fjällräven, the arctic fox has become more than just a conservation project, it is a symbol for our efforts to protect nature and support initiatives that have the same goal. It is only fitting that since 2019 we have expanded the original aim of the Arctic Fox Initiative to become a global effort with grantee applications received yearly from all over the world.
Arctic Fox Conservation Project with WWF Finland
The 2020 Arctic Fox Initiative fund will support conservation work with the Arctic Fox Conservation Project for arctic foxes in Finland. This contribution will go towards establishing and maintaining arctic fox feeding stations in the Finnish Lapland, in addition, new volunteers will be trained to survey the population. This summer we saw a record number of births with pups being born in areas where foxes have not been seen for years. Our support is needed urgently to give these pups a fighting chance of living until Spring.
"As the population is increasing in neighboring areas, such as Norway and Sweden, the probability for breeding in Finland is now higher than in decades. The additional feeding stations and volunteers in part funded by the Arctic Fox Initiative will bring us even closer to that reality." Petteri Tolvanen, Head of Program Finnish Biodiversity.
The long-term aim for ongoing population studies of the arctic fox is to eventually be able to use the learnings to help protect other endangered species. We are excited to support the Arctic Fox Conservation project and WWF Finland to work towards these goals.
This is a unique year for the Fjällräven Classic. Why take part?
It’s an honor to keep the Fjallraven Classic tradition alive and to continue to spread Fjällräven’s mission of inspiring people to get out in nature in a sustainable way and to especially be with nature during this historical time, even if it’s virtually. I'll do whatever I can to help others experience the spirit that lies within ourselves, just as being outside on the trail does.
What are you looking forward to most on this trek
I’ve never been on this trail before, I'm excited to see what's around the bend, crossing mountain streams, seeing the seasons change & spending time with my team. I also prepared for and recognize there will be challenges ahead, being in nature in a smaller group then past Fjallraven Classics. I might not be talking much or sharing the sights with friends, instead, this will be a time to re-connect with nature during a very unique point in our lives. I’m looking forward to what messages nature will give me and to those watching on TV.
I’ve never been on this trail before, I'm excited to see what's around the bend, crossing mountain streams, seeing the seasons change & spending time with my team. I also prepared for and recognize there will be challenges ahead, being in nature in a smaller group then past Fjallraven Classics. I might not be talking much or sharing the sights with friends, instead, this will be a time to re-connect with nature during a very unique point in our lives. I’m looking forward to what messages nature will give me and to those watching on TV.