{"id":807,"date":"2026-07-13T10:58:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T10:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/?p=807"},"modified":"2026-07-13T11:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:00:40","slug":"restoring-a-former-military-training-area-to-nature-nina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/2026\/07\/13\/restoring-a-former-military-training-area-to-nature-nina\/","title":{"rendered":"Restoring a former military training area to nature \u2013 NINA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/03_NINA.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><em>Prefer listening on the go? This episode is also available on <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/033uguFDizPgXiJnq58HRL?si=qEzhbaKFQtGFqnoFcrIpSQ\">Spotify<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Restoring a former military training area to nature \u2013 NINA Steps for Nature podcast \u00b7 Episode 3\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/show\/033uguFDizPgXiJnq58HRL?si=qEzhbaKFQtGFqnoFcrIpSQ&amp;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welcome to the third episode of <em>Steps for Nature<\/em>! In this episode, Dagmar from NINA walks us through the Hjerkinn PRO project and what it takes to restore mountain ecosystems after decades of military use. The conversation highlights the role of collaboration across disciplines, as well as the importance of long-term thinking and adaptability in large-scale restoration projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) is Norway\u2019s leading institution for applied ecological research, working at the intersection of nature and society to develop knowledge and solutions across public and private sectors. Its work brings together a wide range of disciplines, from natural and social sciences to economics, data modelling, and ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:41% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"745\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-745x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-811 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-745x1024.jpg 745w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-218x300.jpg 218w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-768x1055.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-1118x1536.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-1490x2048.jpg 1490w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-1397x1920.jpg 1397w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1-1320x1814.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/20180823_173316-1.jpg 1849w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cAnd when we started this [green training model], we realised very quickly that this interaction and transfer of knowledge was both ways\u2014that we learned from them and they learned from us\u2014and during the project, we realised that we were totally dependent on each other.\u201d <\/em>\u2013 Dagmar Hagen<br><br><em>Photo: <em>Svein Solli\/<br>Norwegian Defence Estate Agency<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a55a4d710cfc&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a55a4d711031&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a55a4d711031\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"812\" src=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/7_dialog-i-felt-DSC_0782-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Dagmar discussing practical solutions in the field with two machine drivers. Photo: Svein Solli\/Norwegian Defence Estate Agency<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Led by the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency, with NINA providing research and consultancy, Hjerkinn PRO focused on restoring the former Hjerkinn military training area in the Dovrefjell region of Norway. This involved large-scale restoration work carried out in close collaboration between contractors and ecologists, including an innovative \u201cgreen training\u201d approach to support shared learning in the field. As part of the restoration, roads, buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure were removed to help restore natural landscapes and improve habitat conditions for species such as wild reindeer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;galleryId&quot;:&quot;6a55a4d7112b2&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/gallery\" class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a55a4d7113da&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a55a4d7113da\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"813\" src=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-813\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/FOR_Grondalen-DSC_0007-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a55a4d7115c0&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a55a4d7115c0\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-id=\"814\" src=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2026\/07\/ETTER_Grondalen-689_etter_DSC_0294-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Pictures taken before and after the restoration along one of the military roads. Work included removing the gravel and fitting the terrain into the undisturbed surroundings and using vegetation turfs from the transition zone to facilitate further natural recovery. Photos: Dagmar Hagen\/NINA<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nina.no\/english\">Norwegian Institute for Nature Research<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nina.no\/en\/our-research\/all-projects\/restoration-from-military-training-area-to-national-park\">Hjerkinn PRO project<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prefer listening on the go? This episode is also available on Spotify. Welcome to the third episode of Steps for Nature! In this episode, Dagmar&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,15],"tags":[10],"class_list":["post-807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","category-nature-restoration","tag-podcast"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/201"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=807"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":817,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/807\/revisions\/817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cbss.org\/youth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}