Join the Helping Hand project and give back to nature on Senja.

This year, A Helping Hand to Ånderdalen National Park becomes A Helping Hand to Senja, with the addition of a second site in one of Senja’s most scenic areas (Fjordgård/Segla).

Before you apply to join the project, we invite you to read this short summary covering the questions most frequently asked.

One of the missions of the 2025 edition of A Helping Hand was to repaint the Senja trail going through Ånderdalen National Park.

What is A Helping Hand ?

A Helping Hand is a project initiated by Rissa Citizen Science, and that started as a collaboration with the Ånderdalen National Park Board. In 2026, Senja Municipality is taking on a leading role with the addition of a second site outside the National Park, in one of the most iconic part of the island.

Over the past decade, annual visitor numbers on Senja have surged, and this is impacting nature while creating tensions with the local community. A Helping Hand is an opportunity for visitors and residents to join forces, and contribute to the protection of nature, through hands-on restoration and citizen science.

Ingve Birkeland, the manager of Ånderdalen National Park welcoming the participants of A Helping Hand 2025.

Where and when?

A helping Hand 2026 will take place at two sites simultanously:

• Ånderdalen National Park, for 6 full days (Sunday 26 July - Sunday 2 August) with 15 participants.

• At Fjordgård/Segla, 2 full days (Thursday 30 - Sunday 2 August) with 10 participants.

A participant in the first pilot, in 2023 in Ånderdalen National Park, looking for golden eagles.

How will you contribute?

Tasks may include repairing hiking trails, restoring wetlands, marking existing trails, closing damaged paths and creating new ones or/and building boardwalks.

You may also map biodiversity, with a focus on birds, dragonflies, butterflies, and other groups depending on the expertise available.

This blog article, A Helping Hand to Ånderdalen National Park: Mission Accomplished!, summarizes what was achieved during the previous edition.

At both sites, local team leaders will guide the participants, sharing knowledge, and dealing with logistics and safety.

Nature restoration and citizen science: the two sides of A Helping Hand.

What are the differences between the two sites?

The main differences are the duration and the accomodation.

Participants will spent 6 full days in Ånderdalen National Park, and 2 in Fjordgård/Segla.

The tasks will be relativelty similar between the two sites.

The landscape is quite different between Ånderdalen National Park and Fjordgård/Segla. Feel free to look at the photos on Rissa's blog, and on an any ethical search engine.

In Ånderdalen National Park, you will sleep in tent, while in Fjordgård/Segla, you will be hosted by locals. Fjordgård/Segla may offer a more comfortable experience, particularly if the weather conditions are challenging during that week. On the other hand, the level of immersion in nature is greater in Ånderdalen National Park.

Participants tenting in Ånderdalen National Park during the second pilot in 2024.

How can you join?

The first step is to show your interest on Rissa Citizen Science's events page.

Note that you can only join one of the two sites. All the participants will meet on the last day to share their stories and accomplishments around a delicious meal prepared by a local chef.

Shortly after expressing your interest, you will receive an email from Rissa Citizen Science (info@rissa-cs.org) and you will be invited to share your motivation in 100 words. No previous experience in nature restoration or citizen science is required, as we aim to keep the project as inclusive as possible. You will then be invited to a 30-minute call, during which we will answer your questions and share more information about the project. The purpose of this call is to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what participation involves and that you arrive with the right expectations.

A Helping Hand also involves napping in nature, as often as possible.

To summarize:

• Express your interest, and you will receive an email from Rissa Citizen Science

• Express your motivation (be convincing!)

• Meet with the project leader during a 30-minute call

• Choose the site, and confirm your participation

• Pay the registration fee (NOK 1,500)

• Stay in touch with the project leader

• Join A Helping Hand!

• Share your feedback with us

A participant of the pilot in 2024 mapping birds in Ånderdalen National Park.

What are the criteria to join the teams?

The most important criteria for joining A Helping Hand to Senja is to be motivated! There is no age limit, although the participation of those under 18 will require additional precautions.

The program includes hikes on steep terrain and physically demanding tasks. For that reason, a letter from your doctor will be required, but we mostly rely on your common sense and personal judgement to assess whether you are fit to participate in physical activities in the mountains.

Participants of the 2025 edition spreading wooden chips on a hiking trail in Ånderdalen National Park.

Do I need to pay to participate?

The previous edition of A Helping Hand was entirely free of charge, but too many participants cancelled at the last minute. This created logistical challenges and prevented other motivated applicants from taking part. We hope that the NOK 1,500 registration fee will be viewed as a modest commitment and help reduce last-minute withdrawals.

This fee will help cover some of the costs associated with the project, including food, transport, and equipment. We hope it will not be a barrier to participation, as we want A Helping Hand to remain accessible to as many people as possible, including students and those with limited financial means.

Participants will receive food, transport, and accommodation from the moment they arrive in Finnsnes on Day 1 until they are transported back to Finnsnes on Sunday, 2 August.

Two participants move peat around to stabilize a hiking trail in Ånderdalen National Park in 2025.

What do I need to bring?

As they say in Norway, Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær (there is no bad weather, only bad clothes). Even in summer, the weather can be anything from hot and sunny to cold, wet and windy. Sometimes all in the same day. The 2025 edition was dry, warm, and sunny. Weather conditions were also favourable in 2024 and 2023, although each year brings its own unique circumstances.

Remember that Senja lies 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. Wool, down and waterproof clothes are always a good pick.

For Ånderdalen National Park, you will need a tent, a sleeping bag, a camping mat, and a stove with a pot (we provide the gas canisters).

Recommended items include a knife, a water bottle, binoculars, your favorite snacks, a book or e-reader and sunscreen. Participants will be given a more detailed list of clothes and equipment beforehand.

During the 2025 edition, remarking the Senja trail. At this altitude, even in summer, temperatures often drop below zero.

Should I be afraid of insects?

Anyone who has hiked or camped in the Arctic during summer knows that insects can be plentiful, to say the least. Mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums (Culicoides), and deer flies make for a diverse community of biting insects at these high latitudes. Some people may also experience strong reactions to bites, which is worth being aware of.

Conditions vary considerably from year to year: last summer was unusually dry and warm, allowing for sleeveless clothing most of the time, while other years, or certain areas, can be more challenging. In most cases, non-toxic insect repellent combined with a good mosquito head net and long sleeves is sufficient to manage the situation.

Sundews (or droseras) are very common on Senja. Unlike most humans, these carnivorous plants love insects.

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A Helping Hand to Senja 2026 is collaboration beetween Rissa Citizen Science, Ånderdalen National Park and Senja Municipality.