Steinar Garmann Sørli

Eg koordinerer klimaarbeidet, med særleg ansvar for å følgje opp dei statlege planretningslinjene for klima og energi (SPR) i samarbeid med kommunane. Arbeidet mitt omfattar: - Å integrere klima- og energihensyn i kommunal planlegging og arealforvaltning - Å støtte kommunane i arbeidet med å redusere klimagassutslepp gjennom lokale løysingar - Å omsetje nasjonale føringar til praktisk rettleiing og verkemiddel - Å fremje naturbaserte løysingar som både reduserer utslepp og tek vare på naturmangfald - Å samordne samarbeid med fylkeskommunen og regionale klimapartnarar

As Protected Area Manager, I am responsible for the day-to-day management and conservation of the Nærøyfjord and Stølsheimen protected areas in Western Norway — Nærøyfjorden is part of the UNESCO West Norwegian Fjord Landscape. I serve as secretary to the legally appointed management board, preparing cases and ensuring that all decisions align with Norway’s Nature Diversity Act, protection regulations, and international conservation commitments. The role requires close collaboration with landowners, local communities, municipalities, and national authorities to balance environmental protection with sustainable use, cultural heritage management, and public access. Key responsibilities include: Secretariat for the management board; preparing decisions and ensuring compliance with legal frameworks. Development and implementation of conservation management plans and site-specific objectives. Facilitating stakeholder collaboration through advisory groups and dialogue with landowners, tourism, agriculture, and cultural sectors. Planning and coordinating habitat restoration, maintenance, and visitor infrastructure. Monitoring and reporting on biodiversity status, regulatory compliance, and management effectiveness. Ensuring knowledge-based, integrated landscape management across municipal and administrative boundaries. The position is employed by the County Governor of Vestland (Statsforvalteren i Vestland), with professional oversight from the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet). https://www.norgesnasjonalparker.no/en/other-protected-areas/naeroyfjorden/

Developing Åmot from a small family farm into one of the 50 Greatest Hotels on Earth (Robb Report, 2024) has been a journey of vision, persistence, and deep respect for nature and cultural heritage. Together with my co-founder Yngve Brakstad, I have led Åmot through key transformations — from Åmot Gard, to 15 years as Åmot Operagard, and now as a private hospitality estate curating bespoke guest experiences rooted in nature, culture, and human connection. From 2004 to 2019, Åmot operated with a threefold business model combining cultural productions, accommodation, and private events. We continuously refined and simplified this model to create a more agile and experience-driven concept. Collaborations with Bergen National Opera, Sogn og Fjordane Teater, NRK Television, and local fjord tourism networks allowed us to blend high culture with local storytelling and authentic fjordland experiences. Our dedication has been recognized with several national awards, including the Norwegian Cultural and Business Award, Norsk Reiselivsperle, Olavsrosa (Heritage Mark of Norwegian Cultural Heritage), the Rural Development Prize of Sogn og Fjordane, and the Cultural Award of Gaular Municipality. My journey with Åmot has given me extensive experience in strategic development, brand positioning, partnerships, and sustainable business model innovation. This has led to board positions with Norsk Kulturarv, Fjord Norge / Innovativt Fjordturisme, Opera Norge, Vikingfjorden, and Gaular Reiselivslag — roles where I actively contribute to bridging nature conservation, cultural heritage, and innovative tourism development. Åmot continues to be my platform for weaving together my passion for nature, culture, and meaningful human encounters — transforming hospitality into a force for reflection, connection, and regeneration.

At Innovation Norway’s Growth & Startup Center, I had the privilege of working as a trusted advisor and funding specialist for early-stage entrepreneurs across Norway. I served as a sparring partner for start-ups, providing strategic guidance on business development, market validation, and financing opportunities. My main responsibilities included: Early-phase advisory for new Innovation Norway clients (startups and scale-ups). Evaluation and administration of Market Validation Grants. Applying entrepreneurial tools such as Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, and Design Thinking to support client development. Supporting founders in navigating public funding schemes and refining their business strategies. I enjoyed this role immensely, as it allowed me to combine structured financial advisory with creative problem-solving — helping founders shape sustainable and scalable business models. Working with passionate entrepreneurs in a dynamic environment has been both inspiring and professionally enriching.

After nearly two decades as an Environmental Manager for the County Governor’s Office in Nord-Trøndelag and Hordaland, I transitioned to a full-time leadership role at Åmot — the private hospitality estate I co-founded with Yngve Brakstad. As General Manager, I was responsible for the daily operations, guest experience, and strategic development of Åmot during a key phase of growth and repositioning. Together with Yngve, I led the transformation of Åmot from a cultural event venue (Åmot Operagard) to a fully curated, exclusive-use destination for discerning travelers. Key responsibilities included: Operational leadership of the estate, including guest relations, team management, and supplier coordination. Development of bespoke guest experiences, blending nature, architecture, food, and local culture. Building Åmot’s international network of travel advisors, media, and partners. Managing finances, budgets, and reinvestments to support sustainable growth. Strengthening Åmot’s identity as a place for meaningful encounters and slow, sensory journeys. This period allowed me to bring my systems-thinking from nature conservation into high-end hospitality, with a focus on creating experiences that move people and foster a deeper connection to place.

It was a true privilege to work at the intersection of environmental stewardship and cultural landscape management as part of the Agricultural Department at the County Governor of Hordaland. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a highly skilled and passionate cross-disciplinary team, developing environmental programs and leading projects that balanced agricultural use with landscape conservation and cultural heritage values. Throughout these 15 years, I worked on developing regional and national strategies for environmental measures, as well as Nordic and international cultural landscape initiatives. My role focused on creating frameworks that integrated biodiversity, agricultural practices, and rural development. Key projects included: Project Leader for the Nordic Council of Ministers' initiative: Strategies for Cultural Landscape Management. Organizing the Nordic Cultural Landscape Conference. National Streif 2005 – a national event showcasing cultural landscapes. Strategies for Organic Farming and Cultural Landscape Management in Hordaland. Coordinating two consecutive 4-year Environmental Programs. Project Leader for Hordaland Landscape Parks. Leading the project on repurposing vacant agricultural buildings in rural areas.

I took a one-year leave from my position at the County Governor of Hordaland to lead Vikingfjorden — a community mobilization project focused on cultural and nature-based business development in Bygstad, the village where Åmot is located. The project aimed to strengthen the foundation for sustainable tourism and local entrepreneurship, by developing outdoor infrastructure, supporting business initiatives, and fostering collaboration between local stakeholders. As project manager, my responsibilities included: Facilitating business development for entrepreneurs interested in cultural and nature-based tourism. Organizing workshops and courses on branding, product packaging, and business strategy. Coordinating joint marketing initiatives in collaboration with Reisemål Sunnfjord and other regional tourism actors. Arranging site visits and study tours to similar businesses and communities in Norway and Tuscany, fostering knowledge exchange and inspiration. Developing a shared identity and pride around local food culture and sustainable business practices. Supporting infrastructure projects for outdoor recreation, including trails, signage, and visitor facilities. Building collaborative networks among local businesses, landowners, and cultural institutions to create integrated visitor experiences. The Vikingfjorden project was a catalyst for uniting local resources and fostering a shared vision for cultural and nature-based value creation in the region. This experience deepened my understanding of rural entrepreneurship, destination development, and community-driven business strategies.

Advisor – County Governor of Nord-Trøndelag (Fylkesmannen i Nord-Trøndelag), Environmental Department 1997 – 2000 Working at the County Governor of Nord-Trøndelag was a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of cultural landscape strategies at a time when integrated, landscape-based management was emerging as a national priority. Together with agricultural organizations, the County Municipality, local governments, and voluntary heritage associations, I worked to implement holistic approaches that balanced land use, cultural heritage, and biodiversity conservation. Nord-Trøndelag was a pilot county for the National Program for Prioriterte Kulturmiljø (Priority Cultural Environments), where I played a central role in developing collaborative management models that combined heritage protection, sustainable land use, and environmental stewardship. This initiative was a pioneering effort to integrate cultural heritage and biodiversity into comprehensive landscape management. A key responsibility was handling applications for environmental support schemes in agriculture (Spesielle Miljøtiltak i Jordbruket – SMIL) for all municipalities in Nord-Trøndelag. I also led a pilot project testing delegated decision-making authority for SMIL applications in two trial municipalities, ensuring more efficient and locally adapted case processing. Additionally, I supported the implementation of Environmental Plans (Miljøplan i landbruket), guiding farmers in integrating environmental considerations into agricultural practices. Facilitating the inclusion of cultural landscapes in municipal spatial planning (arealplanlegging) was also a major focus, ensuring that cultural and environmental values were embedded in local development strategies. Throughout, I promoted cross-sector collaboration to align environmental, cultural, and agricultural interests — laying the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable approach to rural landscape management.