Donal Hickey: With a sliver of opportunity and a helping hand, life finds a way

Priority actions for the new NPWS/Coillte deal will include a focus on protected habitats such as raised and blanket bog, heaths and wetlands, lakes and rivers, and for threatened species such as freshwater pearl mussel, hen harrier, merlin, and breeding waders

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes the framework for greater partnership and collaboration for the delivery of nature conservation projects and the management of the respective estates of both organisations.Pictured (left to right) Dr Andy Bleasdale, Director of Scientific Advice and Research, NPWS; Imelda Hurley, CEO Coillte; Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett; Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcom Noonan TD; Mark Carlin, MD Coillte Forest. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

A new deal between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte to restore nature is another step on the long, slow road towards reaching our EU-set targets.

Under EU law, 30% of habitats here, including forestry, bogs, rivers and lakes, must rise from ‘poor’ to ‘good’ condition by 2030. The goal is to hit 90% by 2050.