Forest Service Northern Ireland facts for kids
| Executive Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 1, 1998 |
| Jurisdiction | Northern Ireland Executive |
| Headquarters | Inishkeen House (Enniskillen) |
| Parent department | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) |
The Forest Service Northern Ireland is a special group that works for the government in Northern Ireland. Their main job is to look after and grow forests across the country. They also make sure people can enjoy these forests.
This service helps manage all the government-owned forests. They make sure there's enough wood for different uses. They also protect forests from harm and help new trees grow. A big part of their work is making sure forests are managed in a way that helps the environment for a long time.
Contents
What is the Forest Service?
The Forest Service Northern Ireland started on April 1, 1998. It is part of a bigger government group called the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Think of it like a team within a larger department.
Where They Work
The main office for the Forest Service is in Enniskillen, at a place called Inishkeen House. They also have smaller offices in Castlewellan and Garvagh. There's even a special place at Belfast airport to check on plant health.
How Big Are They?
The Forest Service looks after a huge area of forest land. They manage about 62,000 hectares of forest. To give you an idea, one hectare is about the size of a sports field. So, they manage a lot of trees! As of 2025, about 205 people work for the Forest Service. The person in charge is John Joe O’Boyle.
What the Forest Service Does
The Forest Service has many important jobs. They make sure Northern Ireland's forests are healthy and useful for everyone.
Managing Forests and Timber
One of their main tasks is to manage the forests owned by the government. This includes harvesting timber, which is wood used for building or other products. They harvest about 400,000 cubic meters of wood each year. They also work to protect forests from diseases or other dangers.
Protecting and Growing Forests
The service is responsible for making sure forests are managed in a way that is good for the future. This is called "sustainable management." They are checked by an independent group to make sure they meet high standards for looking after the woodlands. They also help new forests grow and expand.
Public Access and Enjoyment
The Forest Service wants people to enjoy the forests. They create and maintain paths and trails so that the public can visit and explore these natural spaces. This means you can go for walks, bike rides, or just enjoy nature in many of their forests.
Working with Renewable Energy
The Forest Service also helps with projects that create clean energy. They can allow some forest land to be used for things like wind farms. This helps Northern Ireland produce more energy from natural sources. For example, in March 2025, they announced plans to work with companies on wind energy projects.
Following the Rules
The Forest Service is also the group that makes sure everyone follows the rules about forestry. They check that people and companies are managing forests correctly and legally.
