The RDS-Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards promote standards of excellence in the production of native forests and trees. The Awards continue the historic involvement of the RDS in the development of Irish forestry which saw over 55 million trees planted in Ireland from 1766 - 1806 through the Society's land improvement and afforestation projects.

Since their inception in 1987, the Awards recognise and reward farmers who are employing the basic principles of sustainable forestry management on their properties including: sound commercial management; environmental protection; bio diversity and social amenity. The Awards promote the forest industry of Ireland, the challenges it faces and the measures it is taking to provide for commercial timber production while maintaining a rich ecosystem to pass onto future generations.

Over the years these Awards have grown from a single category competition to their present structure, detailed below. This has been thanks to the generous support of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

There are two main Award categories:
1. Farm Forestry which is open to bona fide farmers whose plantings are intended for commercial timber production and
2. Bio-Diverse Forestry/Woodlands which is open to land owners whose main objective is environmental and social benefit.

As well as the two main Awards a Judges’ Special Award is made every year at the discretion of the judging panel in recognition of outstanding achievement.

Awards and Prizes
The winner in each category will receive €2,000, an RDS Silver Medal and a perpetual trophy. The runner-up Special Merit Award winner in each category will receive €1,000 and a special certificate of merit. Prizes are awarded at the discretion of the judging panel.

Please note that award winners in the previous five years are not eligible to enter the competition.

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