Conference in Mayo hears results of four year project

Claremorris, Co Mayo, Tuesday 6^th October 2009:

In one of the largest projects of its kind to take place in this country, over 550 hectares of priority woodland habitat have been restored through the removal of exotic species and creation of conditions to allow natural regeneration of native trees by Coillte. The conference has attracted attention from throughout Ireland, Northern Ireland and overseas.

Coillte ecologist, Pat Neville commented that:

"Coillte recognises the central role that forests play for nature conservation and biodiversity and today we are actively restoring some of Ireland's most important woodland habitats. In fact we manage over 15% of our total estate of 445,000 ha, primarily for nature conservation, making it Ireland's largest nature conservation area.

"As Ireland's leading forestry company, we are delighted with what has been achieved over the last four years on this Priority Woodland Project and how these woodlands are regenerating naturally now and into the future."�

He went on to say that there has been fantastic support and interest shown by local communities at the nine woodland sites throughout the country. Three of the sites have been designated as demonstration sites with signage and easy access for people to come and visit and understand the work which has been done. They are:

• Clonbur, on the Galway / Mayo border

• Hazelwood, in County Sligo, and

• Cahir Park, in County Tipperary.

For more information on these sites or to order your free copy of the DVD produced to highlight the work of the project see: www.woodlandrestoration.ie

This is one of three EU LIFE funded projects which Coillte has. The other projects have seen Coillte restore 2,500 ha of raised and blanket bogs.

Media Queries:
Breda Lyons, Coillte
087 998 0161

or

Tom Byrne, Coillte
Tel: 086 810 4224

Note to Editors

About Coillte:

Coillte is a commercial State-owned company operating in forestry, panel products manufacturing, land management and energy. The Group owns 445,000 hectares of land, 7% of the land of Ireland, and a number of manufacturing operations. The Group employs approx 1,200 people in Ireland, the UK and Holland.

http://www.woodlandrestoration.ie/