History of the Arctic Fox Centre
Opened in 2010, the Centre was founded by Páll Hersteinsson PhD and Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir PhD, Arctic fox experts as well as professor and pupil. Páll and Ester originally started studying the Arctic fox together on the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in 1998, one of the few areas in Iceland where the Arctic fox is protected from hunting, and wished to secure the continued study and educate people on the facts of the Arctic fox, which in Iceland had a tarnished image and reputation. From this need grew the idea for the creation of the Arctic Fox Centre, a den for collecting and displaying information on Arctic foxes as well as creating a foundation for their and all research on Arctic foxes in Iceland.
The idea began receiving supporters and backers, and in 2007 the Arctic Fox Centre was officially created as a non-profit organisation with 42 shareholders. The municipality of Súðavíkurhreppur had donated the historical but dilapidated house „Eyrardalur“ in the town of Súðavík to the project, and financed the complete restoration and reconstruction of the house. During this time Páll and Ester raised funds, collected Arctic fox material and knowledge for the exhibitions as well as continuing with their research.
On the 12th of June 2010 the Arctic Fox Centre was officially opened, with Ester being handed the key to the house and named the centre’s director.
