Sustainable forestry proposals sought

THE Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Food has invited proposals from interested parties on the promotion and development of sustainable forestry.

Applications are being invited, through press advertisements, for financial support towards pilot projects and initiatives concerned with developing sustainable forestry in Ireland and towards projects aimed at the promotion of forestry here.

Minister of State John Browne said he is particularly interested in receiving proposals which “aim to encourage the better management of existing forests, promote new planting or increase awareness of the benefits of forestry, particularly the environmental benefits.”

He said it is his intention to involve a broad range of stakeholders in the promotional and development strategy for the industry.

The focus in this instance would be on relatively small-scale, short-term projects as larger scale projects, more orientated towards research and development, would fall within the remit of the National Council for Forestry Research and Development.