The RDS Irish Forest and Woodland Awards recognise and reward farmers and woodland owners that have adopted Climate-Smart Agricultural practices on their properties. These practices include sound commercial management, environmental protection, and biodiversity.
The Awards are Ireland’s National forestry awards and are divided into four main categories which highlight, celebrate, and reward those who are at the forefront of the economic, environmental and community development of the forestry sector in Ireland.
The Silvicultural Excellence Award
The Silvicultural Excellence Category aims to recognise excellence in the management of a forest (broadleaf, conifer, mixed or coppice) where timber production is the main management objective.
Finalists:
· Coillte Castlelough Forest, Co. Tipperary
· John Joe Dunne, Co. Laois
· John Normanly & Maria McDonnell, Hawthorn Farm, Co. Sligo
· Kenneth & Eoin Worrell, Co. Laois
The Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
The Teagasc Farm Forestry Award recognises working farmers who are integrating forestry and farming for environmental, social and economic benefits. The category aims to promote the positive sustainable contribution of forestry as an integral enterprise within the wider farming profile.
Finalists:
· Brian Flanagan, Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon
· Hugh Barrett, Rathaspeck, Co. Wexford
· Willie & Avril Allshire, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork
The Community Woodland Award
The Community Woodland Award is designed to encourage and reward projects involving the communal ownership and/or management of forests and woodlands which have been established and managed in a sustainable way that is beneficial to the local economy and/or environment.
Finalists:
· Coillte Ballyfad Woodland, Co. Wexford
· Crough Wood, Commeragh Community Development Group, Co. Waterford
· Terryland Forest Park, Co. Galway The Native Woodland Conservation Award
The Native Woodland Conservation Award recognises excellence in the conservation and management of native forests and semi-natural woodlands which are regarded as ancient or long established and managed in a sustainable way that is both beneficial to biodiversity and the local economy.
Finalists:
· Coillte Hazelwood, Co. Sligo
· Paul Maguire, Co. Mayo
The Awards Ceremony will be held in April at the RDS Concert Hall as part of the programme of events for the Foundation Festival, Finding Common Ground.
The RDS would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their support and dedication to the Awards; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, Woodlands of Ireland, The Heritage Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
