Woodlands of Ireland sponsor “Native Woodland Conservation Award”
A new category “Native Woodland Conservation Award” has been introduced to the RDS Irish Forest and Woodland Awards for 2024. The “Native Woodland Conservation Award” aims to recognise 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. Woodlands of Ireland are sponsoring this category for 2024. If you would like to enter your woodland in this category, download the entry form today – good luck!
The Irish Forest and Woodland Awards
The 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 twin goals of promoting the economic and environmental benefits of good forestry and farming are fundamental to what the RDS hopes to achieve through its agriculture and rural affairs programme.
Categories
There are 4 categories that you can enter in the Irish Forest and Woodland Awards to include:
- Production Forestry Award
- Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
- Community Woodland Award
- New category: Native Woodland Conservation Award
Prizes
- The winner in each of the categories will receive €2,000 and an RDS Silver Medal.
- Category winners will also receive a specially commissioned trophy.
- The runner-up in each category will receive €1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit.
Call for entries closing date : September 15th, 2023 at midday.
The 2024 Irish Forest and Woodland Awards will be presented as part of the RDS Spring Awards in the RDS Concert Hall in May 2024.
For more information on how to apply, click through to RDS Forestry Awards.
Alternatively you can contact the RDS by phone at 087-1877253 or email forestry@rds.ie
Note: *Areas must be ancient or long established as described in ‘A provisional inventory of ancient and long‐established woodland in Ireland’ (NPWS 2010) pages 5-6 in the link below: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM46.pdf
Who are Woodlands of Ireland
Woodlands of Ireland are a not-for-profit charity dedicated to the conservation and expansion of native semi-natural woodlands. It is an inclusive organisation whose primary objectives are to generate awareness of native woodlands amongst policy makers and the general public and to develop projects and sustainable management strategies aimed at ensuring the future viability of native woodlands. Woodlands of Ireland are funded by National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Heritage Council and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.