Woodland growers in Laois shortlisted for forestry awards
John-Joe Dunne from Mountmellick has been shortlisted for an RDS Forestry Award.
TWO woodland growers in Laois have been shortlisted in the RDS Forestry Awards.
The awards recognise and reward farmers and woodland owners that have adopted climate-smart agricultural practices on their properties.
John Joe Dunne from in Graigue in Mountmellick has been diligently developing the woodland to enhance the sustainability of his farm. He believes the maturing forest will provide financial, social and environmental benefits for future generations of his family.
Kenneth Worrell and Eoin Worrell from Worrell Harvesting Ltd in Mountrath is a family-run business with 20 years’ experience in the forestry industry. Their forest at Cloncourse in Mountrath comprises of a large block of timber planted at different intervals over a number of years. This site is an excellent example of the benefits of using Specified Biomass Harvesting as a method of harvesting.
The two have been shortlisted in the prestigious awards for the Silvicultural Excellence category, which aims to recognise excellence in the management of a forest (broadleaf, conifer, mixed or coppice) where timber production is the main management objective.
Some of the criteria in being nominated for the awards looks at practices that 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.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 10 April as part of the ‘Finding Common Ground’ festival in the RDS in Dublin.
The ‘Finding Common Ground’ festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday 9 and 10 April and being delivered as one of the RDS Foundation social impact programmes. It will bring together scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry professionals, practitioners, advocates and RDS members to explore how Ireland can harness the benefits of our natural resources and the circular economy with a view to creating increased awareness, education and identification of solutions.
A series of talks and panel discussions will focus on the latest advancements and challenges in areas such as land use, forestry and the bioeconomy.
The broad programme will also explore topics such as decarbonising construction, how to use the arts to engage with environmental societal change and primary science education.
