Coillte is updating the map of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas on its forest estate as part of FSC and PEFC certification. They are looking for local input, especially on HCV Categories 4 to 6, which are often best spotted by people who spend time outdoors:
- HCV 4 (Nature’s “safety systems”): places that protect water and land, such as streams, lakeshores, wetlands, steep slopes, erosion prone areas, or flood buffering ground.
- HCV 5 (Community essentials): areas local people depend on for wellbeing or livelihoods, such as well used recreation routes, local access points, or places important for community activities.
- HCV 6 (Culture and heritage): sites with cultural, historical, or spiritual value, such as holy wells, ringforts, historic trails, graveyards, monuments, placenames, or landscapes with strong local meaning.
Next week is National Tree Week in Ireland. If you are going to do one thing for the country’s trees, you could do far worse than helping Coillte protect the most important places by contributing to this consultation. And of course, any planting of native trees in your local area is strongly encouraged too! 🙂
Scouts and Scouters are out in these places year round, so your local knowledge can really help. If you know a Coillte owned or Coillte managed site that fits one of the above, send it in by the 13th March deadline.
How to send your input: Email info@coillte.ie with subject “Consultation on Coillte’s HCV Category 4 to 6” and include:
(1) location pin or map link (plus forest name if known)
(2) which HCV category you think the site fits (4, 5, or 6)
(3) 2 to 4 sentences explaining why
(4) any evidence (photos, links, local notes, signage).
