Hedges, trees and non-forest woodland covers more than 6% of the country
IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman Paul O’Brien says farmers and farming play an important role in protecting and enhancing biodiversity. He says farmers do not get enough recognition for their role in protecting the quality of nature found in the countryside Ireland has the third largest total hedgerow area…
If you go down to the woods today….
The number of people visiting forests nationally, including in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, increased by 38 percent since the start of the pandemic. Coillte say 2.2 million people have visited a woodland between March 2020 and the end of last year. The most popular areas were in Dublin,…
Bogs to be restored and forests replanted from Donegal to Kerry
Spruce and pine forests on thousands of hectares of blanket bog in mountainous coastal areas from Kerry to Donegal are to be replanted with more environmentally-friendly native woodland. It’s part of the Western Peatlands Project for which funding has been provided as part of the government’s stimulus programme. The work…
Save Leitrim group disputes Department of Agriculture report on forestry
The Save Leitrim Group is disputing a recent Department of Agriculture report on the amount of land in Leitirm covered in in forestry. The Forest Statistics Ireland 2019 report published by the Department of Agriculture stated 18.9pc of Leitrim was under forestry. The group is claiming the figure could be…
Calls for Leitrim Co Co to protect county from afforestation
Leitrim County Council has been urged to be more proactive when it comes to fighting proposed forestry plantations. The calls were made at this week’s Manorhamilton Municipal District meeting by Fianna Fáil Councillor and local election candidate Justin Warnock. It’s after he attended an oral hearing on behalf of the…
West to be among hottest areas in country today
The west will be among the hottest areas in the country today. Met Eireann’s Joan Blackburn says temperatures could hit 30 degrees in many places. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has issued a red forest fire warning, its highest level. They’re advising people not to light barbecues outside designated areas…
Weather has created ‘perfect’ conditions for forest fires, says Coillte
Current weather conditions have created ‘a perfect storm’ for forest fires, according to Coillte. There have already been major fires throughout Sligo, including on the border areas with Roscommon and Leitrim, as well as in Donegal and Fermanagh. Sligo County Council has warned repeatedly that so-called ‘controlled burning’ is prohibited.…