Offaly bogs to be transformed into woodland

Over 1,500 hectares of cutaway bog in Offaly and neighbouring counties are to be transformed into woodlands as part of a collaboration between Bord na Móna and Coillte Nature, it was announced this week.

Part of Bord na Móna’s move towards decarbonisation, the first phase of the project will see 600,000 new trees being planted at sites in Offaly, Laois, Westmeath and Tipperary over the next three years. The focus will be on growing a mix of native Irish trees such as Downy Birch, Scots Pine, Alder and other broadleaves (Hazel, Holly, etc).

A Bord na Móna spokesperson told the Offaly Independent that the firm was still finalising the locations of the sites in Offaly that would be transformed into woodlands to help Ireland meet its climate change targets.

Speaking at the launch of the new project, BNM chief executive Tom Donnellan said: “Bord na Móna is decarbonising its business and changing how we manage bogs across Ireland. As we step back from our traditional operations, our new business approach involves different, innovative activities across our estate and in many cases that involves a range of new partnerships. This very welcome joint-initiative with Coillte aligns with our new approach to business, estate management and our plans to rehabilitate a total area of 35,000 hectares of peatlands by 2025. By this year we plan to have a new Bord na Móna estate that provides a new extensive rich habitat for native plants and animals and that also uses our resources in a sustainable way to support a thriving green economy.”

The announcement about the project was made on Wednesday by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton.

He said the transformation of the bogs into “rich, native woodlands” will help Ireland respond to the climate challenge.

“This project is a great example of how we can better use our resources to step up our response, to what is the most crucial issue of this generation.

“Not only are woodlands crucial to absorb carbon emissions, but they are essential for preserving Ireland’s biodiversity. The focus of this project is on native Irish trees and animal species.”