Arctic Fox Initiative

Find out more about the Arctic Fox Initiative and the organisations we will support in 2020.

What is the Arctic Fox Initiative?

It’s that time of year where we are pleased to be able to tell you a little bit more about the organisations selected by the Arctic Fox Initiative in 2020. There is no denying that it has been a more complicated year than we anticipated, which is why this year it’s more important than ever to focus on good causes that aim to protect the environment and inspire people to spend more time out in nature. The Arctic Fox Initiative is a fund that we annually award to several non-profit organisations with great ideas which need our collective support to realise.

Why the Arctic Fox?

If you are a regular on Foxtrail, or fluent in Swedish, then you probably can guess. Fjällräven means ‘arctic fox’ in Swedish. It’s not only our namesake, but we have been actively involved for years to protect 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 largely due to climate change, which also effects Lemming populations, the main food source for arctic foxes. At the turn of the century, there were only 50 arctic foxes living in the wild in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Due to conservation work, this number has now risen to 200 foxes in Sweden alone.

Fjällräven co-sponsors a PhD position, with a contribution of €35.000 in 2020, at the University of Stockholm. This enables the University to study populations, and to support in creating feeding stations for the arctic foxes, to ensure numbers recover within their ‘Save the Arctic Fox’ program.

But for us, 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 we have expanded the original aim of the Arctic Fox Initiative to become a global effort, with applications received yearly from all over the world.

Arctic Fox Conservation project with WWF Finland

The Arctic Fox Initiative fund will support conservation work for arctic foxes in Finland with a sum of €40.000,- This will go towards establishing new, and maintaining, arctic fox feeding stations in the Finnish Lapland and training new volunteers to survey the population. This summer saw a record number of births, with pups being born in areas where foxes have not been seen for years. But support is needed urgently to give these pups a fighting chance of living until Spring. 

Photographer: Naali Riistakamerassa, 2020Metsahallitus 

"As the population is increasing in neighbouring 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 really excited to support the Arctic Fox Conservationproject and WWF Finland to work towards these goals.

Power to Be

Sometimes it is possible to find a perfect fit in terms of values. When we found Power to Be we feel that we managed that. Power to Be is an organisation, based in Canada, that helps bring inclusivity to experiencing adventure and being in nature by providing support to those with cognitive, physical or any other kind of barrier. Through several outreach programs a dedicated team enables young people in North America to overcome barriers to spending time in nature. 

The Arctic Fox Initiative will support Power to Be with a contribution of €35.000,- CAD. "At a time when access to nature is more critical than ever, Power To Be’s adaptive recreation programs support the more vulnerable members of our community. These programs provide access to nature through accessible, inclusive activities including hiking, kayaking, canoeing, camping and outdoor skills. Support for these programs helps us provide the equipment and support required to help our participants experience the physical and psychological benefits of nature." Tim Cormode, Chief Executive Officer at Power To Be. 

 

School Hiking Guides with German Ramblers Association

The German Ramblers Association supports eduction and the promotion of outdoor activities as part of the national curriculum programme for children and adolescents. With support of €15.000,- from the Arctic Fox Initiative they plan to train new School Hiking Guides to advocate and enact the implementation of this project in states across Germany.

"The Arctic Fox Initiative fund will help us to reach a new level of 'school hiking guides' and greatly enlarge the circle of those who want to learn about the topics of community, nature and sustainability." Ute Dicks, Managing Director at German Ramblers Association. 

 

Photographer: Kuhr 

The School Hiking Guides will create an alternative learning opportunity in and with nature for many students in the coming years. The long term goals of this programme is to encourage and support students across Germany to connect with nature, and therefore learn to both respect and protect it in the future. Programmes such as these can have a long reaching impact for both social wellbeing and environmental awareness. 

We, at Fjällräven, appreciate the work that goes into all of the applications that we receive and the huge effort made by the selected organisations to make great ideas a reality. We truly believe that together we can do more. In this spirit, we look forward to being able to work together with these organisations on their goals through the Arctic Fox Initiative this year.