Native Woodland Conservation Scheme Training Course

Time Title Speaker 9.30-10.00 Registration *(Tea / Coffee is provided) 10.00-10.10 Welcome, Agenda and Housekeeping 10.10-10.45 Forestry Programme 2023-2027, Native Woodland Conservation Scheme Overview, and Associated Support Schemes Dr Orla Fahy, Head of Ecology Section, Forestry Inspectorate, DAFM 10.45-11.30 Overview of Ireland’s Native Woodlands – History, Biodiversity Value, Habitat Types, Process of Identification. Dr Susan Iremonger, Ecologist, Forestry Inspectorate, DAFM 11.30-11.50 Tea / Coffee 11.50-13.40 Loop walk through Enniscoe estate, to include key stopping points to highlight different habitats, management priorities, history, and discussion topics. Led by Joe Gowran, CEO, Woodlands of Ireland 13.40-14.30 Lunch (Bring-Your-Own) Discussion encouraged surrounding threats to NWC conservation and possible solutions. 14.30-15.15 Native Woodland Restoration: Silvicultural Options & Tackling Invasives and Deer Seppi Höna, Northern Regional Inspector, Forestry Inspectorate, DAFM 15.15-16.15 Submitting applications under the NWC Scheme: Introduction to the Ecology Survey (including Annex habitat surveys) & Report and the Management Plan & Operations (a.k.a. ‘Native Woodland Plan’) templates Dr Susan Iremonger Aaron McNulty, Environment Section, Forestry Inspectorate, DAFM 16.15-16.30 Tea / Coffee 16.30-16.45 Mapping requirements under the NWC Scheme Aaron McNulty, Forestry Inspectorate, DAFM 16.45-17.15 Introduction to the Day 2 Field exercise in Enniscoe wood. Susan Iremonger, Joe Gowran & Aaron McNulty Day 2: Wednesday, 09th April Venue: Enniscoe House, Prospect, Castlehill, Ballina, Co. Mayo, F26 EA34. Time Title Speakers 9.15 Meet at car park (beside North Mayo Heritage Centre) 9.30-11.00 Preparing a Native Woodland Plan as part of an application under the NWC Scheme, on-site at Enniscoe Wood. Participants split into 4 groups (A to D) (with ecologists and forester represented on each), disperse into woodland to undertake the exercise. DAFM and WOI personnel on hand to assist. *BYO refreshments onsite. 11.00-11.15 Walk back to training centre (briefly stopping at knot weed area) 11.15-11.45 Tea / coffee 11.45-12.00 Presentation on knotweed management and learning within the estate Sarah Sheridan, NPWS 12.00-12.20 Video presentation on current state of play with Nature Restoration Law Dr Jenni Roche, NPWS 12.20-13.30 Working Lunch (Bring-Your-Own) – finalising NWC plan 13.30-15.00 Groups A to D present their Native Woodland Plan plus maps: Current habitat, Future habitat, Operational maps. Questions and discussion after each. 15.00-15.30 Examples of successful Native Woodland Conservation Scheme applications and lessons learned. TBC (Joe Gowran) 15.30-16.00 Wrap up discussion, and close