When I went to Slovenia last Sept for the 20th anniversary of Pro Silva Europe and met with foresters from 27 member countries, I had little idea that I would be six months later helping launch Ireland’s first All Ireland Pro Silva Policy.
The key focus of the 20th anniversary in Slovenia had been to encourage all member countries to start to reach out to policy makers and the wider communities on the numerous, long term economic and ecological benefits of permanent, non clear-fell forestry management in their own countries. In my report I recommended to the Irish committee to consider making a policy for Ireland (which they have done so) and creating an illustrated guide for the general public on what these forests will look like (that’s still on my ‘to do’ list).
So next Fri and Saturday, Pro Silva Ireland are hosting two public events for the general public on permanent forestry and launching the policy. The policy so far is being examined by the Green Party Forestry policy group so its the start of these new ideas and terms entering a more public discourse. (For you visual artists out there, I can’t help thinking the late leading visual artist Joseph Beuys would be somewhat amused at another artist bringing forests, community and politics together – Beuys was a leading 20thC artist who was a founding member of the first Green Party in Germany, an avid tree planter and communicator).
There is a public talk on the Friday night in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, by the head of the Slovenian Forest Service, Dr Jurij Diaci – a hugely respected Close to Nature forester. Both Jurij and a leading German Pro Silva forester, Prof Jurgen Huss, who has visited and written about Irish forests previously will lead an all day Open Forest talk the next day in Cloragh Farm, Wicklow.
See all the details and the new policy on www.prosilvaireland.org
PS the Friday night talk will be followed by a few refreshments, the Saturday open forest day – you bring your own sandwiches for a picnic in the forest (and boots and coats if this heatwave breaks).
Related posts:
- Forestry in Ireland: tax free, like an artist's exemption? Pro Silva Ireland field day this coming Saturday
- Dog teaches Ireland about permanent close to nature foresty
- A good forest economy now needed in Ireland
- Chair of Pro Silva Ireland, Jan Alexander, receives 2009 RDS Forestry Merit Award
- Thinning to easily create an ecologically & economically sustainable forest, in South Carlow, Ireland
