Letting people in to your woodland can generate income and goodwill as well as a sense of satisfaction. Downsides include littering and insurance costs, but grants are available.
Nearly 90pc of respondents in the Department-commissioned ‘Attitudes to Afforestation in Ireland’ survey thought that forests and woodlands benefited local communities.
Nearly 60pc had visited a forest in the past year, with exercise and recreation cited as the key visit driver. Adults with young children are more likely to have visited a forest, while the over-50s are the most frequent visitors generally.
More than half of the respondents visited woodlands more since the Covid pandemic began.
Over 40pc of us live within 5km of a forest. Surprisingly, the survey found that people living in urban areas are as close to woodlands on average as those living in the countryside.
Half of woodland visitors wouldn’t change forests, but some suggested better access, improved signage and toilets could be provided.
Social Benefits Of Forests
The health benefits — both physical and mental — are well documented. Going for a walk stimulates the brain, boosts wellbeing and helps us sleep better.
Forests offer an escape from the daily grind, allowing us to re-connect with nature. They also provide a wonderful educational resource in which to learn about and appreciate the environment.
In 2004, it was estimated that there were 11 million visits per year to Irish forests. The current estimate now stands at 30 million. And forest cover in Ireland is among the lowest in Europe at 11pc.
Forests can cater for a wide range of objectives involving people of all ages and abilities — from walking, mountain biking or zip-wire adventures to shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and glamping sites.
Do Not Trespass
Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service provide access to State-owned forests, national parks, nature reserves and arboreta under their control.
Some local authorities as well as many local communities provide access to ‘their’ woodlands.
However, it is important to recognise that private forests now make up about half of all forests in Ireland, with over 23,000 owners. The decision to allow access rests with the forest owner, and is provided on a goodwill basis.
No private forest should be entered unless there is express permission to do so. Do not trespass; respect other people’s private property.
Opening Up Your Forest
Forest owners need to consider carefully their level of commitment and resources.
Some owners are happy to accommodate low-level use by the local community, while others prefer to develop a more formal recreational forest with more extensive facilities.
Advantages
I find that forest owners get a real sense of satisfaction from letting others (especially neighbours) enjoy their forest. This access is very much appreciated by the local community.
Access to a forest can also create opportunities for income generation.
For instance, creating a well-thought-out network of walkways guiding the visitor past a beautiful waterfall or a hidden lime-kiln can benefit other on-farm enterprises such as accommodation.
Public access to forests also tends to benefit the local community as visitors come into the area, spending money in shops, pubs, restaurants and accommodation.
Disadvantages
It is not all plain sailing. Forest owners often worry that if they open up their forest to visitors, they may create some form of right of access or give users a say in how their forest is managed.
This can have a knock-on effect on the forest’s other objectives and management operations.
Littering and vandalism can lead to increased costs. It is usually the forest owner who has to clean up, fix fences and repair walkways.
Owners may also fork out to improve visitor safety.
Public liability is often the big elephant in the room. This insurance cover is much more difficult and expensive to obtain in Ireland than in other EU countries.
However, over the last few years, some fantastic partnerships have developed whereby the forest owner provides the venue and the local authority looks after public liability.
Financial support measures
The Department’s NeighbourWood Scheme supports the creation and development of forests for public use and enjoyment.
It offers funding of up to 85pc of eligible costs up to a limit of 12ha. Funding is available under three separate elements:
■ The establishment of new forests, up to a maximum of €5,000/ha (plus an additional fencing allowance);
■ The enhancement of existing woodlands, up to €5,000/ha;
■ The installation and upgrade of recreational facilities, up to €3,800/ha.
See for yourself
Teagasc and the Department are running a nationwide series of walks between May 9-20 focusing on private forests where the owner has developed a recreational element. All walks start at 7pm,.
For registration and details see www.teagasc.ie/forests4recreation
Steven Meyen is a Teagasc forestry advisor based in Ballybofey; steven.meyen@teagasc.ie
(Source – Irish Independent – Indo Farming – Steven Meyen – 03/05/2022)