RDS Irish Forestry Awards Community Woodland Award
Overview
There are three prize categories for the Awards:
- Production Forestry
- Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
- Community Woodlands
Production Forestry
The Production Forestry Category is open to Farmers and landowners using sound silvicultural management on their farms. This award aims to recognise excellence in the management of production forestry.
While the focus is on the management of the area for wood production, judges will also review diversity of species, particularly the presence of native trees such as Ash, Birch, Oak, Willow, etc., to ensure greater efficiency and quality in the development of the sector.
Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
The Teagasc Farm Forestry Award recognises working farmers who are integrating forestry and farming for environmental, social and economic benefits. The category aims to promote the positive sustainable contribution of forestry as an integral enterprise within the wider farming profile. It acknowledges the farmer’s role in actively managing the forest and promoting tree planting to strengthen wider farming sustainability.
Community Woodlands
The Community Woodland Award is designed to encourage and reward projects involving the communal ownership and/or management of forests and woodlands which have been established and managed in a sustainable way that is beneficial to the local economy and/or environment. Entry is open to woodland-related community-based projects including participants in the NeighbourWoods Scheme and amenity forestry projects. Entrants should also be able to demonstrate significant and sustained community input.
Prizes
- With a prize fund of €9,000, all woodland owners and managers are encouraged to enter the Awards as all woodlands, large or small, are of merit
- The winner in each of the above categories will receive €2,000 and an RDS Silver Medal
- The runner-up in each category will receive €1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit
Category winners will also receive a specially commissioned trophy.
Recent Awards
For a list of 2020 award winners, visit the website