Cloughan forest walk to focus on recreational use – Teagasc

The recreational value of forests was never as clear as it was during the Covid-19 pandemic, say Teagasc, as they prepare for a series of nationwide walks next month.

Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) are hosting the events between May 9 and May 20 on the them of forest recreation, and there is one in Cloughan, County Westmeath on Tuesday May 10 at 7pm (registration is required at teagasc.ie/forests4recreation).

Liam Kelly, the Teagasc forest specialist for this area, said that forests are established for many different purposes, and one of the objectives is forest recreation.

“The use of forests for regular exercising or walking was never as obvious or as necessary as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Liam.

Forest cover is Ireland is now estimated to be at its highest level in 350 years at 770,000 ha or 11 per cent of the total land area (National Forest Inventory 2017).

“With an increasing population, forests offer many opportunities for new amenity values,” said Liam.

“Forests provide great outdoor spaces for many to recreate locally. Forests can be diverse in nature and are referred to as the lungs of the earth.

“Research has shown that engagement with nature through outdoor activities can have a significant positive effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing.”

Teagasc say that people out in forests should also be aware of what the forest and nature are offering.

A recent nationwide survey by the DAFM bears that out; it found that 58 per cent of people surveyed have visited a forest in the last year and exercise and recreation were cited as the key visit driver. More than half (57 per cent) said they visited woodlands more since the Covid pandemic began, when compared to 2019.

It was estimated that there were nearly nine million visits per year to Irish forests in 1999, but that figure has now risen to about 30 million, demonstrating the importance of the forests as valuable places for healthy recreation.

The private forestry estate accounts for approximately 49.2 per cent of the total forest area and there are more than 23,000 private owners. For the private forest estate, the decision to allow public access rests with the forest owner, and is provided on a goodwill basis. No forest should be entered for recreational purposes unless there is permission to do so, Teagasc warn.

Some private forest owners have developed or plan to develop the recreational elements of their forests. There are many types of recreational uses, and Teagasc and DAFM will highlight some of these forest owners with this a series of nationwide walks this month.