Coillte’s bog restoration project among the best in Europe

2nd March, 2010:  An Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., today launched Coillte’s "Healthy Forests, Healthy People" exhibition at Clara Library in Offaly.

The ‘Healthy Forests Healthy People Exhibition’ brings together information on a number of Coillte’s significant projects and activities in managing the environment and aims to give people a better understanding of Coillte’s role.

The very high quality of the implementation and reporting on Coillte’s Raised Bog project has been recognised by its selection among the 23 best LIFE-Nature projects out of the 73 that finished and were evaluated in 2009.

Speaking at the event An Taoiseach said:

"Coillte plays a key role in biodiversity and nature conservation in Ireland. This exhibition shows how Coillte is actively restoring some of Ireland's most important areas of bog and native woodland habitats, co-funded by the EU LIFE-Nature Programme."

Coillte ecologist, Pat Neville commented that:

"Coillte’s core purpose is about enriching lives through the innovative and sustainable management of natural resources. We recognise the central role that forests play for nature conservation and biodiversity and we are actively restoring some of Ireland’s most important woodland habitats."

"As Ireland’s leading forestry company, we are delighted to have developed this exhibition which can help people learn more about the environment. We are also delighted that our work on the EU funded LIFE Projects has been recognised and we hope people will enjoy the exhibition here in Offaly and get an understanding for the work we are doing."

Coillte are very grateful to Clara Library, NPWS Bog Visitor Centre and Offaly County Council for their generous support in hosting the launch of the exhibition. The exhibition will be on display at various venues throughout the country during 2010.

The following Coillte projects are particularly relevant to Offaly and its bordering counties:

• Blanket Bog Project – Demonstration site with boardwalk and information panel on the Laois/Offaly border at Glendine/ Clashroe/Glenletter/Garraunbaun/Tulla/Johnsborough/ Crumlin/ Cumber in the Slieve Bloom mountains.
• Raised Bog Project – site at Coolrain Bog, County Laois .

Priority Woodland Project – sites with information panels at Durrow, County Laois, and Camcor County Offaly.

2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. Coillte plays a key role in biodiversity and nature conservation in Ireland and this exhibition shows how Coillte is actively restoring some of Ireland’s most important areas of bog and native woodland habitats.

Coillte’s core purpose is to enrich lives locally, nationally and globally through innovative and sustainable management of natural resources. Coillte provide recreation areas, habitat restoration and over 15% of Coillte’s estate is managed primarily for nature conservation.

This exhibition is currently on display Clara Library from the 26th February to 19th March.

Please see more information on our EU LIFE projects.

Exhibition enquiries should be directed to:

Angela Wallace, Coillte
Email: angela.wallace@coillte.ie
Mobile: 086 2502571

or

Tom Byrne
Email: tom.byrne@coillte.ie
Mobile: 086 810 4224

 

Note to Editors

About Coillte

Coillte is a commercial company operating in forestry, wood panel products, land based businesses and renewable energy.

Our core purpose is to enrich lives locally, nationally and globally through innovative management of natural resources.

Coillte employs approx 1,100 people and owns over 445,000 hectares of land, about 7% of the land cover in Ireland.

From certified forestry and forest products to world class recreation and renewable energy, Coillte manages its forests in a sustainable way.

For more see: www.coillte.ie

Tom Byrne
Head of Corporate Communications
Coillte
Dublin Road
Newtownmountkennedy
Co Wicklow

Tel: + 353 1 201 5231 or 086 810 4224