Press release

Doyle announces funding for successful projects on forestry promotion

From: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on: 6 April 2019
Last updated on: 14 April 2020

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle TD, today announced the results of the public call by his department for proposals for forestry promotion. The call was aimed at encouraging initiatives which will highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry, promote planting of more trees and encourage sustainable forest management. A total of 40 proposals were received of which 15 were approved. These will now be implemented with almost €830,000 in funding in 2019 and 2020.

The Minister said:

"This announcement is timely as we celebrate the end of a brilliant National Tree Week. The response to this call has been hugely encouraging with a wide range of really innovative proposals submitted right across the country. The successful projects range from those with a local focus to others which will have a nationwide reach. I am particularly delighted to see a number of successful projects which will promote the planting of broadleaf trees. This will build upon our continuing success in increasing the percentage of broadleaves planted, with well over 500,000 broadleaves planted so far in 2019."

The scope and reach of the projects being funded is impressive, and includes a woodland festival, open days for native woodland establishment, promotion of hardwood in the bioeconomy and numerous school based initiatives that take school children out of the classroom and into local forests to learn about nature and trees. Funding has also been approved for supporting the creation of new Native Woodlands as well for forest management initiatives for existing owners.

The Minister added that:

"the recent Oireachtas Committee’s report on Climate Change has clearly identified the essential role which forestry can play in tackling this issue. It has set a challenge for us all to which we must respond. The benefits of forestry range from environmental to economic and recreational and I look forward to the roll-out of these projects in raising awareness of these right across Ireland."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Successful proposals for promotion of forestry

Name of group	Description	Location
Western Forestry Co-Operative Society Ltd	This proposal involves holding a native woodland open day to foster greater awareness of the native woodland establishment scheme and in particular the establishment of new native woodlands under Scenario 5 – Pioneer Birch Woodland.	Co Galway
Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) - Irish Forest Unit Trust (IForUT)	Establishment of Demonstration/Exhibition Woodland in Clonad forest and in doing so provide a suitable woodland for the public, farmers, forest owners, schools, colleges, media and others to enjoy and learn about the multifunctional benefits of forests.	Co Offaly
Irish Farmers Association (IFA)	The proposal called ‘Branch Out' aims to increase the level of information available to farmers on the potential benefits of forestry to increase family farm incomes, using farmer case studies to improve the understanding of the potential of forestry on farms.	National
Limerick/Tipp Woodland Owners (LTWO)	Transfer of information to other broadleaves owners on the potential markets for small diameter hardwoods	Limerick and Tipperary
Woodlands of Ireland	Promoting the native woodland establishment and conservation schemes along with implementation of the Native Woodland Strategy. Helping to underpin the capacity of the forest sector to deliver Forestry Programme targets for native woodlands.	National
CRANN - Trees for Ireland	Promoting the multifunctional benefits of forestry including hosting a UN International Conference on Green Jobs in the Forest Sector.	National
Society of Irish Foresters	Promotion of the multifunctional benefits of Forestry in secondary schools by “Forestry Ambassadors” and presenting forestry as a career option.	National
Western Forestry Co-Operative Society Ltd	A woodland festival will be organised to help foster greater awareness of the benefits of forests for all. The day will include live demonstrations in thinning, woodland improvement, sawmilling, timber tasks tent, tree walks and woodland talks as well as food, crafts and family entertainment.	Co Leitrim
Irish Wood Producers	A suite of forest based activities with accompanying templates will be developed focusing on mature forests; rolled out by schools, youth organisations and community groups.	Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford
Kerry Earth Education Project	Forest Connections’ aims to get people of all ages out into the forests to observe, enjoy and participate in forest life, enabling them to feel connected to local forests and forests throughout Ireland, enhancing their feelings of well being and knowledge of the essential place of forests in our life.	Co Kerry
Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA)	The ITGA promote sustainable forest management practices that ensure private forest plantations achieve their maximum environmental and economic potential. This is achieved through their wide range of information services, including newsletters, year book and field trips.	National
An Taisce (Environmental Education Unit)	The Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce (EEU) will promote the multifunctional benefits of forestry to primary and secondary schools. To engage schools through the Green-Schools Biodiversity theme and adapt and develop resources from the pilot LEAF programme; to deliver student workshops and teacher guidance for extension of learning beyond these workshops.	National
IFA & Western Forestry Co-Operative	This proposal will promote good forest management practices and increase understanding of the value of forest assets, with a particular focus on the values of the forest asset at it matures. It will focus on three management options (i) management by owner, (ii) management by professional forester/company and (iii) selling your forest asset.	National
Irish Wood Producers (IWP)	IWP will produce a series of factsheets and videos that will present management of forestry in a step by step process to include video clips of activity on site from planting, maintenance, harvesting, sawmills and chipping.	National
Agri Aware	This primary level educational initiative entitled “Branching Out” aims to raise awareness of the role of forestry in the lives of people of all ages across Ireland. This will be done using innovative and engaging curriculum linked activities and lessons.	Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, Kerry, Wicklow

Doyle announces funding for successful projects on forestry promotion

Notes to the Editor:

Successful proposals for promotion of forestry

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