Killeen Launches Forestry Information Programme for Cork

Tony Killeen, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, today officially launched 'Today's Woodland - Our Resource for Tomorrow', a pilot forestry information programme which will take place in West Cork from 4th to 16th October 2009.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co. Kildare, Minister of State Killeen said that the focus of the pilot programme is to create awareness among the general public about the multi-functional benefits of all our forests and woodlands and also to provide information to forestry owners on the importance of sustainable forest management. Minister of State Killeen added that the Government has made considerable investment in forestry establishment and downstream development areas and stressed the importance of forest owners and the public at large appreciating the long-term benefits of this resource for the economy, the environment and society generally.

The Minister of State welcomed the participation of a variety of bodies from the forestry, farming, non-governmental and the state sectors in the organisation of the pilot forestry programme and the various events to be held as part of the programme. These events include management demonstrations for forest owners, school visits and education events for primary and secondary school students, a wood energy seminar hosted by Sustainable Energy Ireland and a seminar on the various aspects of creating a woodland culture hosted by Teagasc and the Forest Service.

Participating organisations include: Crann, the Tree Council of Ireland, IFA, Society of Irish Foresters, Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Teagasc, Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The programme will commence at an Open Day hosted by the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation at the Manch Estate, near Dunmanway, Co. Cork, on Sunday 4th October.