Forestry Now

Today I speak with Kevin O Connell, Forestry Advisor at Teagasc - Teagasc are Irelands national agriculture and food development authority and Kevin's role is to advise Irish forest owners about how to best manage their forests. Today we discuss some of the reconstitution schemes the Irish Government offers owners. We start off by discussing the Climate Resilience Reforestation Pilot before moving on to the Windblow Scheme and finally the Ash dieback scheme. Each scheme has its own focus and nuance as you'll hear but all offer financial assistance to replant your site and in some cases, make other payments such as the annual Payments for Ecosystem Services available. While replanting involves challenges, Kevin emphasises that it offers a great chance for owners to reset the clock and grow a new forest that aligns with your objectives. 

This podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to 

About Kevin:
Kevin O’Connell is the Forestry Development Officer with Teagasc for counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, and Louth. He has over 38 years’ experience in forestry, both in the private and public sectors. Kevin joined Teagasc in 1988 and developed, managed and taught on the forestry training courses in Ballyhaise College. In 2005, he joined the advisory services, returned for a period to education but is now full time in advisory. Kevin has a specific interest in forestry education and environmental related forest management. His qualifications are M.Agr. Sc. (Rural Environmental Conservation Management) and B.Agr.Sc (Forestry). He is a technical member of the Society of Irish Foresters. He has taken a supporting role in instigating and nurturing knowledge transfer and information dissemination and works closely with the North East Forestry Group.

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Follow the Guest on:
Kevins Profile
https://teagasc.ie/people/kevin-oconnell/
Kevins Article on reforestation:
https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/reforestation-following-harvest/

Other Links of Note:
Teagasc Forestry Resources on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/teagascforestryvideos
Climate Resilience Reforestation Scheme Pilot:
https://teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/climate-resilient-reforestation-pilot-scheme-offering-financial-support-for-reforestation/

Windblow Reconstitution Scheme

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Chapters: 00:00 Show introduction
01:10 Introducing Kevin O’Connell and his role at Teagasc
02:03 Felling licences, replanting obligations and forest management
05:05 Replanting requirements and exceptions
08:32 Replanting as an opportunity to reset your forest
11:02 Involving the next generation in forestry decisions
13:06 How reforestation grants are paid
15:00 The Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme
20:03 Continuous cover forestry: creating diverse, resilient forests
24:23 Native forests and the benefits of woodland restoration
28:03 Biodiversity, water protection and the Windblow Reconstitution Scheme
30:35 Windblow damage: eligibility, assessment and affected areas
40:20 Replanting options, grant rates and applying for windblow support
48:13 The Ash Dieback Scheme and additional financial support
55:50 Final advice for forest owners