Community and Conservation: A New Approach to Forestry
Download MP3In this conversation, I speak with Ray Ó Foghlú - Ray is Development Lead at Hometree, a nature restoration charity with a strong focus on woodlands based in Co Clare, Ireland. We discuss the organization's role in landscape level projects such as the Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project and the Iveragh Woodland EIP (European Innovation Partnership) in Kerry. Ray discusses bureaucratic challenges in Irish forestry and the need for supportive agricultural policies that empower farmers while also facilitating nature restoration. Ray sets out a clear vision of how we can create vibrant rural communities that value both food production and ecosystem services.
Reference is made in the podcast to SAC's which are Special Areas of Conservation and also to SPA's or Special Protection Areas.
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Other Links:
Ray on Linkedin
linkedin.com/in/ray-ó-foghlú-24923a70
Ray writing on The Journal
https://www.thejournal.ie/author/ray-Ó-foghlú/6649/
Ray writing in the Farmers Journal
https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/opinion/opinion-rural-ireland-s-future-depends-on-homes-for-young-people-893508
Links to Hometree's website and social media.https://www.hometree.ie/
https://www.instagram.com/hometreecharity/
https://www.facebook.com/hometreecharity/
Reference is made in the podcast to SAC's which are Special Areas of Conservation and also to SPA's or Special Protection Areas.
The ForestryNow newsletter signup
Other Links:
Ray on Linkedin
linkedin.com/in/ray-ó-foghlú-24923a70
Ray writing on The Journal
https://www.thejournal.ie/author/ray-Ó-foghlú/6649/
Ray writing in the Farmers Journal
https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/opinion/opinion-rural-ireland-s-future-depends-on-homes-for-young-people-893508
Links to Hometree's website and social media.https://www.hometree.ie/
https://www.instagram.com/hometreecharity/
https://www.facebook.com/hometreecharity/
Sponsor Link
www.forestsales.ie
Contact Dermot
forestrynowpodcast@gmail.com
Key Points
- Hometree focuses on native woodlands and community engagement. The organization aims to restore 57,500 acres in the next 10 years in the next 10 years through projects such as the Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project.
- Ray explains why farmers are often cautious about permanent land use changes and why they often feel let down. Financial incentives are essential for farmer engagement and he suggests how we can make these better for both farmers and nature.
- He explains in depth how the Iveragh Woodland EIP aims to create woodlands in Kerry.
- Ray outlines why policy changes are needed to support nature restoration efforts such as those that dictate elevation restrictions and levels of bare rock on afforestation sites.
- Ray explains how the future of farming must include ecosystem services and technology.
- Ray gives his opinion on clearfell as a management technique and addresses criticisms of Sitka Spruce .
Quotes:
"We're not here just to look good, we want to have real tangible impact."
"We need to capture that sentiment." (In relation to initial farmer enthusiasm for afforestation)
"You need to take a cap off what they (farmers) can earn for the environment!"
"Clearfell can be done sensitively."
"The future is rural!"
[0:00:00] – Introduction to Hometree and Nature Restoration
[0:03:19] – Ambitious Restoration Targets and Strategic Pillars
[0:05:45] – The Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project and Farmer Engagement
[0:09:12] – Perceptions of Forestry and Bureaucratic Hurdles
[0:13:58] – Silvicultural Mindsets vs. Nature-Based Solutions
[0:16:15] – Strategies for Woodland Conservation and Fencing
[0:20:07] – The Iveragh Woodlands EIP: Upland Challenges
[0:24:28] – Innovative Payments and Results-Based Scoring
[0:26:59] – Landscape-Level Deer Management and Technology
[0:28:57] – De-risking Policy: EIPs vs. National Schemes
[0:36:32] – Valuing Ecosystem Services and Rural Succession
[0:42:07] – Forestry Diversity and Rethinking Monocultures
[0:44:19] – Clearfell Mitigation and Peatland Restoration
