Sustainable Woodland Management Course

national | environment | press release Friday February 18, 2005 22:28 by Bob Wilson - CELT, Centre for Environmental Training & Living info at celtnet dot org Bealkelly Woods, Tuamgraney, Co Clare 061 640765

CELT are to run a 12-day introductory level course - 'Sustainable Woodland Management' - at Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, Co. Clare on Sundays beginning Sun 20th February. Registration can be on 20th or 27th February. Course fee 165 euro - and is subsidised by County Clare VEC. Course outline below.

Also there will be a short guided walk , on Saturday 26th February, 2pm to 5pm - The walk will be in Raheen Oak Wood, Tuamgraney - meet at the East Clare Heritage Centre, Tuamgraney at 1.45pm where we will begin with a short illustrated talk. The walk itself will take in part of the ancient oak forest of Raheen where massive oaks are several hundred years old and include the famous 'Brian Boru Oak', said to be the oldest oak in Ireland. The woodland has much interesting ecology and is part of an ancient estate. Wear strong boots or wellies. Magnifying glasses and binoculars would be useful.
Sustainable Woodland Management - Course Outline

This course is all about valuing woodlands as biodiverse eco-systems and important parts of the landscape. We might take selected timber for economic value - replacing with planting so the woodland continues to be a woodland - we do not 'harvest' a crop of trees.

Participants will learn to : -

Identify typical woodland flora, fauna, habitats and eco-systems.

Survey and assess a woodland site.

Understand the principles of sustainable management of the woodland eco-system.

Draw up a management plan for a woodland site.

Prepare ground for planting.

Understand growing conditions for different trees and shrubs.

Plant trees and shrubs.

Participants will develop the following skills :-

Identification of a range of flora, fauna, habitats, eco-systems.

Survey techniques and compilation of assessment report.

Structure and formulation of a management plan.

Measurement of stands of timber.

Assessment of timber value for various uses.

Use and maintenance of hand tools.

Propagation and planting techniques.

Hard and soft landscaping and maintenance of access, fencing, tree guards.

Woodland maintenance including coppicing, pruning and felling techniques