Professor Søren Rysgaard, Director of the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Klaus Nygaard, HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Chairman of Aage V. Jensen Naturfond Leif Skov. Photo: Peter Bondo Christensen.

Late in June 2013 some of the world’s leading Arctic research stations at Zackenberg and Daneborg in North-East Greenland were officially inaugurated and on the same occasion the first sod for new research facilities on Station Nord was cut.

With new and eminent facilities scientists from all the world are even more prepared to do research in the major climate-conditioned changes in the Arctic.

Inauguration and spit took place when a Danish/Greenlandic delegation visited three sites in the National Park of North- and North-East Greenland.

Dog whip lash at Daneborg

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik, who was a member of the delegation, opened the new research facilities at Daneborg by knocking over a bottle of champagne with a well-manouvred dog whip lash.

In his opening speech the Crown Prince emphasized the scientists’ presence in the Arctic area.

“It’s impressive to see the outcome of the scientists’ performances here in Arctic. Modern research stations are essential, if you want to go far,” Crown Prince Frederik said.

Throughout the years the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation has granted 35 million DKK to the two new research stations that jointly is called Zackenberg Research Station.

More than 100 scientists from all over the world are already visiting the research stations, researching climate and organisms in the Arctic eco-systems. Furthermore, due to the ideal collaboration among different research areas, the stations have become an international beacon.

During most of 2014, scientists from ASP will be staying at the stations at Zackenberg and Daneborg to perform comprehensive research projects. Many different disciplines will be represented in this effort, which are to take place during both the winter- and summer season.

New facilities at Station Nord

From Daneborg the delegation flew to Station Nord in the northernmost part of the country. The reason for this visit was the spit for Greenland Self Government’s and Aarhus University’s new research station: Villum Research Station. The VILLUM Foundation has donated 70 million DKK to the new research facilities, which are to be opened in 2014.

At Station Nord the research will concentrate on climate, air, ice and ocean and Villum Research Station will be one of the world’s northernmost research stations with housing facilities, laboratories, snow-scooters, full-track vehicles and unmanned drones which make it possible to study the air’s composition and to observe animals and landscape from the air.

The new facilities will also be the logistic centre for ASP projects that are expected to start in 2014.