Landowners are invited to enter Irish Forestry and Woodland annual awards

Landowners are invited to enter Irish Forestry and Woodland annual awards

29 July 2020

LOCAL landowners are being urged to sign up for the 2020-21 RDS Irish Forestry and Woodland Awards.

The awards are part of the RDS Spring Awards and carry a prize fund of €9,000. The closing date for entries is next Wednesday, August 7.

Previous local winners include the Forde family, owners of Seaforde estate, and Griffith family, who own Saintfield Demesne.

The awards are divided into three 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 Production Forestry Category is open to farmers and landowners using sound silvicultural management on their farms. This award aims to recognise excellence in the management of production forestry. 

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. It acknowledges the farmer’s role in actively managing the forest and promoting tree planting to strengthen wider farming sustainability. 

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 economy and/or environment.

The winners of each of the above categories will receive €2,000 and an RDS silver medal, while the runners-up will receive €1,000 and a certificate of merit. Category winners will also receive a specially commissioned trophy.

Dr Michael Carey, of the RDS Committee of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said: “From the magnificent 162-hectare Seaforde Estate, which includes an ancient woodland in existence since the 17th century, to the bio-diverse woodland of the Griffith family, Saintfield, the awards reveal inspiring examples of the benefits and diversity of forestry in Ireland.

“The woodlands and forestry of Co Down are some of the most productive and picturesque in the country, and we know that there are many great people in the area that we have yet to recognise, but they need to apply first to have a chance to win.”

Application forms are available at www.rds.ie/springawards or via forestry@rds.ie.