Petition against commercial forestry at Killykeen Forest Park gathers momentum

Campaign aims to replant cleared areas as native woodlands for nature

The Killykeen Conservation Group has started a petition to call upon Coillte and the Department of Agriculture to replant the entire felled area in the local forest park with native species.

The forest park is made up of 240 hectares with two areas of 5.28 hectares and 5.08 hectares clear felled this year, causing concern among locals.

Coillte has highlighted that, in one felled area, 70% of the trees replanted will be Sitka spruce with a mix of 15% oak and 15% Scot’s pine. In the other area 80% will be replanted with Sitka, with oak and other native broadleaf trees making up the remaining 20%, which would be nearly three hectares of the land. Of the native species replanted, they are not due to be felled.

After locals met with Coillte, a community group was formed who are now stakeholders in the forest park. They will be consulted over future works.

With felled areas due to be replanted in the new year, the group’s “immediate goal” is to have the entire felled area replanted with native species, which would mean the area would not be clearfelled again thus left for nature.

Their petition has so far garnered approximately signatures online and the group also took to the park with pen and paper to collect signatures in recent weeks. Members of the group will attend the rescheduled Cottage Market event next Wednesday and Thursday afternoon with the Killykeen petition.

Time sensitive opportunity

Group member Emma Kane said: “We do have a very specific, time sensitive opportunity now to get them to change those particular areas.”

Coillte has a not for profit branch known as Coillte Nature, whereby they pick sites around the country for nature conservation and biodiversity.

The group would like Killykeen Forest Park “in its entirety” to be “managed just for nature”.

“We would like the forest park as a whole to be taken under the Coillte Nature branch, which means it would be re-planted with native trees and there would be a focus on rehabilitating the landscape.”

Emma was keen to point out that Coillte are “one hundred percent operating within their mandate” as a commercial forestry company and pointed out how they have been “engaged and helpful” with the group.

“All in all what the group are looking to do is increase awareness of how important Killykeen is as a heritage park, as a recreational park, as a biodiversity location and also then try to encourage Coillte to bring the park back to its former glory in a certain respect.

“We do have a long-term objective of highlighting the park to everybody and making it much more of a feature in the area again.”

Gartnanoul

Asked if Coillte would consider re-planting the felled areas with native species or if it would consider Killykeen for its Forests for Nature initiative, a spokesperson said: “Coillte is committed to balancing and delivering the multiple benefits of its forests for climate, nature, wood and people.

“At a recent meeting in Killykeen Forest Park with local stakeholders, Coillte outlined how a significant area of Killykeen, approximately 60% of the entire area, is currently managed for nature conservation and biodiversity as the primary management objective.

“The remaining areas, largely located within one forest area at Gartnanoul, are managed to produce wood. Irish grown wood is used for many purposes including for example, to build homes, for fencing and decking and for pallets to transport goods around the world, supporting a vibrant Irish forest sector providing over 9,000 jobs across rural Ireland.”

Replanting is carried out by Coillte according to the felling license process managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

“Coillte will continue to manage the productive forest areas at Killykeen Forest Park to produce wood, and the other forest areas of native woodland for nature. Detailed environmental assessments are completed by professional ecologists to ensure the tree felling and replanting operations are compatible with local wildlife and habitats in the area.”

The spokesperson concluded by stating: “Coillte will also continue to manage large areas of Killykeen Forest Park as a recreational forest with four signposted walking trails, a family cycle trail, café and toilet facilities. Coillte will continue to engage with the local community and share its management plans for Killykeen Forest Park.”

To sign the petition click here.

Those who wish to get involved in the Killykeen Conservation Group can message their social media pages or email: KillykeenConservationGroup@gmail.com