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Forest Friends ‘Green Bathing’ guided immersive walk under tree canopy.

For Biodiversity Week 2025 Forest Friends would like you to experience the restorative value time spent Forest Bathing. We have produced an original recorded audio to be used for self guided forest bathing relaxation in a native woodland area of your choice. Choose a location with continuous tree canopy around Ireland and experience forest bathingContinue reading “Forest Friends ‘Green Bathing’ guided immersive walk under tree canopy.”

Storms and Forests

Concerns over resilience of Trees to Climate Change. Storm Éowyn toppled over 10,000 trees at the National Trust’s Mount Stewart estate in Co. Down, with damage also reported across other National Trust properties in Northern Ireland. Coillte, the state forestry company, confirmed that the storm hit just over 11,600 hectares of its plantations. In Dublin, Fingal County Council reportedContinue reading “Storms and Forests”

International Agroforestry Conference

International Agroforestry Conference 16th & 17th November The International Agroforestry Conference bringing together a diversity of expert voices, to discuss and highlight the benefits that trees can bring to farms. Keynote Speakers include Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Agriculture with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity and Clive Bright (IAF Director + Rare Ruminare). Guest Speakers include Professor JimContinue reading “International Agroforestry Conference”

Native Tree Area Scheme under Ireland’s new Forestry Programme 2023-2027

Press Release 4 October 2023 Minister Hackett opens Native Tree Area Scheme under Ireland’s new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has today announced the opening of the Native Tree Area Scheme under Ireland’s new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme. The Minister stated: “I am delightedContinue reading “Native Tree Area Scheme under Ireland’s new Forestry Programme 2023-2027”

Ash Dieback Report Published

Press Release 03 October 2023 Independent Review of Ash Dieback Response Published Minister of State for Land-use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, has published the report of the Independent Review Group into the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s response to ash dieback disease. The report is available on the department’s website. Minister HackettContinue reading “Ash Dieback Report Published”

Forest Mooc For Change

Free online course providing an introduction to continuous cover forestry. JOIN THR FORESTS OF TOMORROW Please find an opportunity for your members/colleagues to access free online training in Continuous Cover Sustainable Forestry Management. ‘Here are a series of CELT/Woodland League educational short videos on the benefits of native trees for farms/Agroforestry etc, filmed in EastContinue reading “Forest Mooc For Change”

European Commission’s announcement today that it has granted State Aid approval to the afforestation scheme under Ireland’s new Forestry Programme. The Forestry Programme is a €1.3 billion investment by the Government in Irish forestry for the next five years from 2023-2027 which required State aid approval by the Commission.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. and Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, Senator Hackett Pippa Hackett, have welcomed the European Commission’s announcement today that it has granted State Aid approval to the afforestation scheme under Ireland’s new Forestry Programme. TheContinue reading “European Commission’s announcement today that it has granted State Aid approval to the afforestation scheme under Ireland’s new Forestry Programme. The Forestry Programme is a €1.3 billion investment by the Government in Irish forestry for the next five years from 2023-2027 which required State aid approval by the Commission.”

Closer to nature guidelines following on from the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy 2030.

The EU Commission has published two new guidelines to incentivise and reward sustainable forest practices. The “closer to nature” guidelines aim to strengthen forest multifunctionality and resilience to climate change, while fostering long-term economic and other societal benefits. The guidance on payment schemes for forest ecosystem services presents a variety of ways in which land managers, including foresters, mayContinue reading “Closer to nature guidelines following on from the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU Forest Strategy 2030.”