A Helping Hand to Ånderdalen National Park: Mission Accomplished!

On July 26th, 16 volunteers came together on Senja to support conservation efforts in Ånderdalen National Park. During 7 days, they restored peat bogs, repaired hiking trails, and remarked the DNT Senja trail. This successful initiative pioneers a more regenerative approach to travel, much needed in a region where visitor numbers have increased tenfold over the past decade. Time to share the story!

The Helping Hand team on their first day in Ånderdalen National Park.

Rissa Citizen Science and the Ånderdalen National Park Board joined forces to put together this first edition of A Helping Hand. The director of Rissa Citizen Science had previously tested the concept with volunteers in 2023 and 2024, and again with a group of students earlier in 2025. These earlier experiences helped shape and strengthen this year's successful launch of A Helping Hand.

Overtourism vs Voluntourism

Over the past decade, annual visitor numbers in Ånderdalen National Park have surged from 2,000 to nearly 20,000. This sharp increase is prompting the National Park Board must have an adaptive approach in the visitor management of Ånderdalen National Park.

Rissa Citizen Science asked a simple question to the National Park Board: Can visitors be a resource more than a burden? A Helping Hand is a pilot initiative exploring this idea, inviting visitors to actively contribute to the park’s preservation through hands-on efforts. With the National Park’s limited staff and funding, the support from these volunteers is not only welcome but is deeply valued.

Ingve Birkeland (Ånderdalen National Park's manager) briefing the volunteers.

Ann, Anna, Carina, Delphin, Ed, François, Ines, Ingve, Iona, James, Léa, Luisa, Marek, Megan, Samara, Simone, Sonja and Virga were the participants of this first edition of A Helping Hand to Ånderdalen. Although most of them live in Tromsø, they are from Australia, Belgium, Czequia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, UK, USA and Switzerland.

Mission 1: Repair hiking trails

Hiking trails deteriorate quickly in the Arctic when overused. In dry areas, the thin layer of soil erodes rapidly leaving the bedrock permanently bare. In wet areas, peat bogs turn into muddy fields that grow wider as hikers try to avoid the wettest spots by walking along the drier edges.

We repaired some of the most damaged sections of the circular trail called Maurstien (at the gateway to Ånderdalen National Park in Tranøybotn). We used fibre mats and woodchips from pine trees.

Volunteers repairing the Maurstien trail with fiber mats and woodchips.

Mission 2: Restore peat bogs

Peat bogs are extremely sensitive to foot traffic. What begins as a narrow 50-centimeter trail can quickly expand into a wide mud flat as hikers instinctively seek out the drier edges. A healthy peat bog functions like a giant sponge, absorbing water and slowing its movement downhill. But once the surface turns to mud, water rushes straight down the slope, carving small channels that grow over time. This leads to erosion, a process that, once started, is irreversible.

Under the guidance of Øystein Kristiansen from Sallir Natur, we restored two damaged wetland areas by laying fiber mats to slow down the flow of water and sediments. We made "plugs" out of the fiber mats that the water can seep through, but at a low speed. At the same time, sediment and debris will accumulate so that over time there will be sufficient mass for mosses and sedges to revegetate the area.

The trail passing through these damaged areas was then permanently closed, allowing nature the time and space to recover.

Volunteers restoring a peat bog in the Floan area.

Mission 3: Close an overly-damaged trail

The hiking trail up to Åndervatnet channels most of the visitors. The Ånderdalen National Park Board decided to close one section, to stop the trampling damage in the wet sections, and because the Park's resources to repair and maintain these areas are not sufficient. We closed the trail with signs, ropes and poles.

Sign inviting hikers to follow the alternative trail.

Mission 4: Create an alternative trail

Before closing the heavily damaged trail, we learned from the Park Manager how to properly mark a new trail through the forest. Fjelltjenesten and the National Park manager had already roughly marked the trail, and it was up to us to finalize the route using blue-painted poles. Working as a team, we carefully chose the most intuitive path, avoiding wet areas and steep inclines, while ensuring the trail design would discourage shortcutting.

Volunteers marking the alternative trail leading to Åndervatnet.

Mission 5: Build boardwalks

In several wet sections of the trail, we helped construct boardwalks to safeguard the delicate vegetation. Working alongside three technicians from Fjelltjenesten, we supported this important task in various ways. Boardwalks are essential in wet areas, as they prevent trampling and help stop the irreversible erosion that can result from repeated foot traffic.

Volunteers assist a Fjelltjenesten technician into constructing a boardwalk in Ånderdalen.

Mission 6: Repaint DNT Senja trail

We assisted DNT (Den Norsk Turistforening) in repainting the red trail markers from Bumannsvatnet to southern Kaperdalen. The effort was led by DNT volunteer Bente Merete Solbjørg. Due to the harsh Arctic weather, this maintenance is required every five years, as the paint gradually wears away. The entire hike covered 23 kilometers of rugged terrain, but spirits remained high all the way to the finish!

Volunteers repainting the red marks along the Senja trail.

Mission 7: Mapping wildlife

Unfortunately, our contribution to species mapping was more limited this time, compared to previous trips in 2023, 2024, and earlier in 2025. We had planned to focus on birds and dragonflies, but the season was already too late for much bird activity (most were silent) and dragonflies were few, likely due to the unusually low number of flying insects this year. We’ll soon gather our observations and upload them to an open-access database.

Dragongfly, drosera and bumblebee in Ånderdalen National Park.

Out camping

We spent the first few nights camping in the National Park and were fortunate to have relatively dry weather most of the week. As mentioned earlier, there were very few insects, perhaps due to the dry conditions in the preceding weeks. We could wear shorts and t-shirts, enjoy lunches outside without being disturbed, and savor our dinners in the endless Arctic daylight. For the final nights, most of us camped in tents at the Ånderdalen National Park Visitor Center (Sážža), while a few stayed inside the building for extra comfort.

Some of our tents and hammocks near Åndervatnet.

Leisure time!

Thanks to Midt-Troms Friluftsliv and Senja Kommune, the volunteers had the chance to unwind after a long day of fieldwork, enjoying a canoe trip in one of the nearby fjords. An unforgetable memory for all of us! On the final day, we took part in a boat trip to Selfjorden, where local biologist Roar Jørgensen shared his knowledge about the sea and marine protected areas.

Sonja, Ann and Ingve enjoying a boat ride on the last day.

The volunteers gave their all, bringing energy and enthusiasm to support the National Park, but we made sure to set aside time each day to relax, and to share a delicious dinner every evening. We wrapped up the week with a celebration at the Visitor Center, where locals were invited to join and connect with the group. That evening, we had the privilege of listening to and engaging in conversation with Sámi reindeer herder Ann Berit Påve Kristiansen. The meal prepared by Roger Kristiansen was outstanding, and we also got to enjoy local craft beer from Senja Handbryggery.

Ines crossing a snow patch when remarking the Senja trail.

Sponsors and helpers

Making participation in A Helping Hand free of charge was a priority for us. Our goal here was to make motivation the only requirement for joining, not financial means. We wanted to provide volunteers with transportation to and from Finnsnes, as well as food and accommodation throughout the week. This was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Miljødirektoratet and the It’s Great Out There Coalition. Statskog SF has sponsored mosquito shirts for all participants. Both the Ånderdalen National Park Board and Rissa Citizen Science contributed time, resources, and materials to the project. Sallir Natur has also contributed with considerable effort of its own to the project. Additional support from Senja Kommune and Troms County may help cover part of the remaining costs. We are grateful to Bente Merete Solbjørg, Hilde Lisbeth Strand, Odd-Arne Andreassen, Solveig Nylund and Morten Svergre for helping with transportation of the volunteers during the week.

Volunteers on the Senja trail to repaint the DNT marks.

What's next?

The first edition of A Helping Hand is a resounding success, thanks to the effective collaboration between Rissa Citizen Science and the Ånderdalen National Park Board. The 16 volunteers were exceptional, supportive, positive, and steady in spirit throughout the entire week. We parted ways with a deep sense of mutual gratitude and pride in what we had achieved as a group. Along the way, we learned about Ånderdalen, but also from one another and formed lasting friendships.

The next step is to reflect on the project and identify areas for improvement.

And after that, we’re excited to begin planning the 2026 edition of A Helping Hand!