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study to be finalised April 2010.
Partners: Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee,
CWP, Fáilte Ireland, Blessington Forum, ESB, Wicklow
Co Council & Wicklow County Tourism
Young Observers’ Awards – Discovering Wicklow’s
Landscape
Activity: 32 Transition Year students recruited from
seven schools. 3-day residential workshop Sept 2009.
Presentation of Action Projects & Certificates Nov
2009
Partners: Schools, Baltinglass Outdoor Education
Centre, CWP & Irish Uplands Forum
The main focus for Woodlands of Ireland continues to
be the Native Woodland Scheme.
Native Woodland Scheme – Support Measures and
projects
(a) Two technical bulletins were prepared in 2009
as part of a series of ‘Information Notes’ which are
crucial technical support guides to the successful
implementation of the NWS. The first of these,
(Planting, design and stocking densities in Native
Woodlands), was published early in 2009 whilst the
second, (The Classification of Native Woodlands and
its application to native woodland management), is at
a very advanced stage.
(b) An excursion to Wales to see first hand how the
native woodland sector is promoted by a co-op, i.e.
Coed Cymru, was organised by WoI in May 2009.
It is intended to carry out a feasibility study on the
requirements of the Irish hardwood sector in 2010.
Native Woodland Scheme – Training
The support network of foresters, ecologists and
contractors continued to be strengthened in 2009.
One 3-day training course was held in Gort, Co.
Galway in late June. 35 participants attended.
Woodlands of Ireland organised a one-day Native
Woodland training course with the Coillte EU LIFE
team in Kilcolgan, Co. Galway at which 28 people
attended. This course was also open to private sector
foresters, ecologists and contractors, as well as Coillte
staff working on native woodland restoration.
Due to ongoing demand a further one-day woodland
fungi training day took place at Charleville demesne
in August. A total of 14 people attended at short
notice as this course is dependant on the presence of
fruiting bodies that appear over a short time period.
Other areas where Woodlands of Ireland has been
active include:
Deer Strategy Initiative
A report commissioned by WoI draws together all
the available information on deer and their impact
on forestry and will help to inform the relevant
government departments in 2010.
Habitat Restoration Network
This initiative was conceived by Catherine Farrell of
Bord na Móna and concerns the restoration of all
habitats in Ireland, including native woodlands.
Irish Forestry Certification Initiative
WOI was elected to the steering group of IFCI, on the
social chamber in 1999.
Progress has been steady since early 2008 with the
development of a forest standard that went to public
consultation in autumn 2009.
Cross Border Initiatives
WoI is a member of both the Northern Ireland
Woodland Development Group and the Loughs
Agency. Essentially these forums provide an
opportunity to co-operate on cross border initiatives
and help the advancement of native woodland
development. This is especially relevant for the
development of riparian projects in cross border
catchments.
THE HERITAGE COUNCIL 2009 ANNUAL REPORT 15