October 1 @ 8:00 am – October 3 @ 5:00 pm
We are delighted to announce the Woodlands of Ireland Conference 2024, taking place from Tuesday, October 1st, to Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, based at the International Scouting Centre, Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan. It will be a premier gathering dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of Ireland’s native woodlands.
Please see draft schedule agenda at this LINK.
Building on the success of the previous Woodlands of Ireland Conferences in 2018 and 2004, we now return to the Conference setting at the International Scouting Centre, Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan on October 1-3 2024 with a focus this year, primarily on expanding the dialogue around 3 themes:
The 2024 conference will explore and focus on three main themes:
- Ancient Woodland on the Island of Ireland – Distribution and Condition: Delve into the history and current state of Ireland’s ancient woodlands. Explore the known distribution of these vital ecosystems across the island and discuss their ecological importance, challenges, and opportunities for further conservation and restoration.
- Protective Tree Cover in Catchments: Learn about the significant role of native tree cover in contributing to improving water quality in the streams, rivers and lakes of catchments, providing buffering to adjacent intensive land uses and buffering for other protected habitats and species.
- Community Involvement in Forest Management: Discover the value of community involvement in the sustainable management of Ireland’s woodlands and forests. This theme will highlight community engaged projects, their successes and struggles in Ireland and internationally.
Conference Highlights Include:
- Expert Keynote Speakers: Gain insights from a range of leading voices on this years themes relating to woodland conservation and forest management.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals, community members, and stakeholders passionate about Ireland’s native woodland heritage.
- Field Trips: Experience a few of Ireland’s unique woodlands with guided field trips around the National Trust Crom Estate’s ancient woodland and parkland in Fermanagh, the NPWS Annagh Lough Wood and at Castle Saunderson in Cavan.
Conference Presentations
Ancient Woodland on the island of Ireland – distribution and condition
A range of speakers explore what’s left, where it is, whose responsible for its conservation/expansion and what support is available
Presentations include DAFM, NIEA, NPWS, UK Woodland Trust NI and the All Island Ancient Woodland Project
Includes visits to ancient and long established woodlands in the Fermanagh/ Cavan Lough Erne catchment at Crom Estate and Annagh Lough Wood Ballyconnell
Protective Tree Cover in Catchments
The benefits of tree cover in relation to water quality and protecting other habitats and species, including the limits to those benefits, will be discussed from a variety of perspectives.
Presentations include LAWPRO, IFI, DAFM, NI Water, An Taisce, Uisce Éireann and more
Community involvement in Forest Management
Examples are given about different community organisations from Ireland, Scotland, and Nepal engaged with the active management of woodland/forest from the nursery to the sawmill.
Presentations include Community Woodland Association Scotland, Native Woodland Trust, Causeway Cost and Glens Heritage Trust, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal and more.
