Improving the forests,...

Intro to ‘the local project’ community forest Jan Alexander : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Thj_qeh7M

Documenting a community forest project in Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Jan Alexander:
“In March 2005 I initiated a proposal which was jointly supported by Crann (the Irish word for ‘tree’ and also a Irish Tree NGO) and The Dock (County Leitrim Art Gallery).

In this project and exhibition, I brought together the voices and images of local people who volunteered to plant broadleaf woodlands 10-12 years ago in an innovative Crann Project in South Leitrim, Ireland.

Ireland’s native forest cover is minimal, forests were lost many centuries ago. Commercial forestry is large scale business consisting predominantly of non-native conifer monocultures.

The Crann ‘local project’ was an opportunity for people to act at a local level in addressing issues about international deforestation amidst Ireland’s almost total dependence on imported tropical woods. The project is an example of a community forestry approach, where sustainable methods are employed, both for ecological and economic long term benefits.

The film and photographs documented the beginnings of a new local wood culture in County Leitrim that is suitable for transferring to other areas in Ireland.

Jan Alexander, Crann founder is now Chairperson of ProSilva (‘for forests’) Ireland, see http://www.prosilvaireland.org .
Jan for the past 6 years has been part of this EU organisation of leading foresters who are committed to sustainable, real ‘continuous cover forestry’, managed using ‘close to nature’ principles.

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Ireland ~ 1900 - 1% forest cover left, ... the only way is up and more, establishing a forest culture, pioneering mixed species forests:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6z00_7ht9M&feature=PlayList&p=08482F9B2103E80A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Irish Forester Noel Kiernan speaks about the ‘local project’
Described by the Irish Times as a ‘visonary forester’, Noel Kiernan, a local forester, took on the development work, facilitating the planting of broadleaves under the Irish Forest Service grant scheme and experimenting with new species and mixtures.

Noel’s background as a local farmer was key to addressing concerns held by local farmers, who have generally a negative opinion of converting land to forestry.

Ireland lost most of native forest cover centuries ago, so this along with memories of the Irish famine still has meant there is no culture or appreciation of sustainable community forestry in Ireland. Note: Ireland has one of the best climates for growing trees in the EU.

The ‘local project’ was fully funded by the Forest Service for three and a half years, during which 300 acres were planted, distributed between 13 sites.

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The Local Project: revisited
The Local Project: revisited 10 videos
Intro to ‘the local project’ community forest Jan Alexander (3:17)
Eoghan O’Riordan, forestor involved in ‘Local project’ (3:25)
Irish Forester Noel Kiernan speaks about the ‘local project’ (5:46)

Playlist play all 10 videos
—————————————————————————Paul Reynolds, sawmiller planted local progect’ woodlands

Paul Reynolds, with the help of Noel Kiernan, forester for the ‘local project’, created a small sawmilling business outside of Mohill, Co. Leitrim.

From a farming background his sawmilling business was a new departure but he has successfully built a business from mobile sawmill equipment to his own sawmilling premises now.

Paul also invested in planting as much native trees as he could, realising early on the value of having a local source of quality native timber.

Paul is now listed in the Leitrim ‘local project’ directory of timber growers and users.

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Terry McGrogan ecobuilder talks about ‘local project’

March 11, 2008   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxNNhgvJjIU&NR=1 

Terry was keen to participate in the ‘local project’ as a keen user of small diameter timber for ecobuilding projects.

Much of Terry’s enthusiasm early on is now bearing fruit with the incresed awareness of sourcing locally grown timbers for local building.

Terry has also been responsible for creating a Co. Leitrim Directory on timber users, growers and others interested in the work.
Please contact the Rossinver Organic Centre for more info.

Tags: 
Cathy Fitzgerald local project Terry McGrogan Irish Community forestry ecobuilding economies wood building