Introduction:

Pro Silva Ireland was founded in June 2000 and has currently a membership of seventy. Membership is made up of forest owners, foresters and others who wish to practice and learn more about Pro Silva forestry practice. Pro Silva Ireland recognises and values the unique history of Irish forestry and its past, current and potential contribution at local, regional and national levels. Members are convinced of the need in Ireland for a greater range of management skills amongst foresters and forest owners. The organisation was founded in order to develop and promote Pro Silva Principles as an alternative to clear felling in Irish forestry. Pro Silva Ireland is a non-profit organisation and is a member of the European umbrella organisation Pro Silva Europe, which was founded in Slovenia in 1989.

Pro Silva Ireland is an all-Ireland organisation, embracing membership from both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. References to Ireland refer jointly to both jurisdictions.

Pro Silva Ireland is a Registered Charity (Number CHY 16703).

To read more on Pro Silva Ireland objectives, structure and strategies click here

History of Pro Silva Forestry:

Shelterwood Systems were introduced toward the end of the 18th Century in Germany, but it was not until G. L. Hartig published his famous book in 1791 entitled 'Instructions on wood cultivation for the forester', that the Shelterwood System became widely popular and dominated German forestry in the 19th century. During this time and up to the beginning of the 20th Century a number of variations were developed. Parallel to this plantation forestry also expanded as over exploited forests and land were restocked.

In Germany the 'Dauerwald Movement' (Continuous Forest Movement) developed toward the end of this period at the beginning of the 20th Century. It sought to abolish clear fells, encourage mixed species and ages within stands and ensure harvestable timber occurred over the entire stand. The Dauerwald movement can be better understood as a set of principles rather than a system of management.

Clear Fell Forestry was however the accepted practice in the huge areas of German forestry and Dauerwald Movement can be seen as a response to these large areas of clear fell, generally of Scots Pine or Norway Spruce.

Prof. Möller, who founded the Dauerwald Movement, debated passionately in its favour, while established forest practice was equally passionately defended. This situation was heightened by the growing strength of the Nazi party, who used the Dauerwald Movement in it's propaganda turning the already enflamed debate into a very hot potato. Professors lost their seats over their opposition to the Dauerwald Movement and much bitterness remained between the two sides for decades.

Despite this a working group was set up in 1950 called the 'Arbeitsgemeinschaft Naturgemässte Waldwirtschaft'. The ANW is the German branch of Pro Silva Europe. The name Pro Silva was taken from the charity trust Pro Silva Helvetica, set up by the famous Swiss forester Walter Ammon in 1948 to support 'plenter' forestry in Switzerland. Pro Silva Helvetica has no links with Pro Silva Europe or its affiliated national groups, but shares many of the same goals.

In Britain and Ireland it was mainly German foresters who introduced the ideas of the Shelterwood and Selection Systems. Examples of these Systems can be found practiced in Britain on a number of forest estates (such as Stourhead Estate or the Longleat Estate in England), but the total area under these systems is very small.

In Ireland Prof. Clear was already pointing out the great reversion in many parts of Europe to more natural forms of silviculture in 1944 (The Role of Mixed Woods in Irish Silviculture by T. Clear, B.Agr.Sc.). He also notes the high degree to which mature plantations were composed of a mixture of species in Ireland at that time. Although examples of Alternative Silvicultural Systems undoubtedly exist in Ireland, they are confined to very small areas and are often more a result of a lack of any clear management system rather than alternative management. This situation is changing as alternatives to clear fell plantation forestry gain increasing acceptance. You can help show how this is changing by suggesting forests to us that you feel are or could be managed under Pro Silva forestry principles in Ireland.

Pro Silva Ireland Committee:

Chairman: Padraig O'Tuama

Vice-Chairman: Liam Byrne

Treasurer/Membership: Paddy Purser

Secretary: Jamie Hamilton & Jan Alexander

Communication: Cathy Fitzgreald

Further Committee members are: Morgan Roche, Donal O'Hare