The RDS Irish Forest and Woodland Awards 2025
In 1987, the RDS organised the first Forestry Awards Ceremony, known as the Irish Forest & Woodlands Awards which sought to recognise the importance of forestry in the rural and national economy. That tradition continues in celebrating farmers and woodland owners that have adopted Climate-Smart Agricultural practices on their properties in Ireland. With a prize fund of €12,000 the awards promote the economic, environmental and social benefits of good forestry and farming. From magnificent historic woodlands, to innovative commercial forests, the awards reveal inspiring examples of the benefits and diversity of forestry in Ireland.
Categories
There are four prize categories that you can enter:
- Silvicultural Excellence Award (previously Production Forestry Award)
- Teagasc Farm Forestry Award
- Community Woodlands Award
- Native Woodland Conservation Award (Sponsored by Woodlands of Ireland)
Native Woodland Conservation Award
The Native Woodland Conservation Award aims to recognise excellence in the conservation and management of native forests and semi-natural woodlands which are regarded as ancient or long established* (See description below) and managed in a sustainable way that is both beneficial to biodiversity and the local economy. Woodlands of Ireland proposed the idea of the native woodland conservation award and worked with the RDS to develop its introduction for the 2024 RDS Irish Forest and Woodland Awards.
The Finalists for the 2025 Native Woodland Conservation Awards are:
- Paul Maguire, Co. Mayo
- Coillte Hazelwood, Co. Sligo
Awards Ceremony 2025
The Awards Ceremony will be held in April at the RDS Concert Hall as part of the programme of events for the Foundation Festival, Finding Common Ground. Everyone with woodland is encouraged to enter as all woodlands, large or small, are of merit. The winner in each category will receive a cheque for €2,000 and an RDS Trophy and each runner-up will receive €1,000 and an RDS Certificate of Merit.
Note: *Areas must be ancient or long established as described in ‘A provisional inventory of ancient and long‐established woodland in Ireland’ (NPWS 2010) pages 5-6 in the link below: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM46.pdf