Press release
Major investment in forestry promotion as department provides €1.6 million in funding to 42 groups
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has announced the results of an Open Call by her department for funding for Forestry Promotion Projects. The themes of the new Call take account of the public consultation conducted in relation to the Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland for 2050, and aligns with the implementation of the new Forest Strategy. This Call was weighted in favour of projects with a particular focus on engaging with farmers, existing forest owners and other landowners. Over 53 applications were received of which 42 individual projects have now been selected for an allocated funding of €1.6 million over the next year.
The Minister said:
“I am delighted to see such a broad range of inspiring projects aimed at promoting the new Forestry Programme and I am particularly pleased at the spread of projects throughout the country. I hope this €1.6 million funding will boost the profile of forestry and encourage every farmer to explore the range of planting options available in the new Forestry Programme. I am also glad to note that many of the projects involve collaboration between organisations and groups and cover a wide range of topics from afforestation, sustainable forest management, ecosystem services, Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) and the promotion of careers in forestry."
The projects selected will promote forestry through a wide variety of approaches and include the development of peer-to-peer videos on forestry; publications on Continuous Cover Forestry establishment; promoting the use of homegrown timber for construction; promoting the planting of native trees, including through the Native Tree Area Scheme; ecological restoration and awareness raising through multi-media; targeted promotional/educational initiatives to develop the potential of agroforestry in Ireland and many others besides. The projects will engage with the wider community to promote trees as a source of biodiversity, enjoyment, and inspiration.
Minister Hackett is looking forward to seeing what will be achieved across the successful projects and added:
“I want to thank all those individuals and organisations for taking part and we look forward to working with the successful groups on the implementation of their projects over the next year."
The Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects 2023/2024 covered four themes as follows:
1. Promote schemes under the new Forestry Programme, with a particular focus on engaging with farmers, existing forest owners and other landowners.
2. Promote productive forestry and the benefits of increased use of timber products in construction and design, in the context of climate action and the bioeconomy.
3. Promote sustainable forest management among forest owners and a range of silvicultural systems (targeted at professionals and organisations already active in this area with established programmes in operation).
4. Promote the multi-functional benefits of trees and forests including eco-system services, bioenergy, communities, children, and general wellness.
Details of the successful projects approved under the Call are set out in the table below.
