Coillte reaches major biodiversity milestone

134,000 hectares across Ireland now prioritised for nature management

Strategic goal delivered ahead of schedule, highlighting Coillte’s commitment to the protection and enhancement of Ireland’s biodiversity

Horticulture

Read More: Biodiversity Coillte Ireland

25 September 2025

Coillte announced the early delivery of a major environmental milestone by increasing the percentage of its estate managed primarily for nature from 20% to 30%.

“The importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity is increasingly recognised, both in Ireland and globally,” Mark Carlin, MD of Coillte Forest, said.

He added: “Coillte’s estate represents one of the country’s most significant biodiversity resources, encompassing a rich tapestry of habitats including coniferous, mixed and broadleaved forests, as well as open bogs, heathlands, lakes and rivers.”

This success signifies the accomplishment of a major strategic goal delineated in Coillte’s strategic vision for its forests, which was initially released in 2022.

Consequently, an additional 134,000 hectares of land – an increase of 44,000 hectares, have been designated as being maintained primarily for biodiversity throughout Ireland.

Coillte’s BioClass system, a framework based on a research that was created to determine and categorize the ecological significance of locations on the Coillte estate, has enabled this advancement.

In order to score woods, bogs, and open spaces according to specific ecological standards, the BioClass method is used.

In an attempt to identify important biodiversity places and put customized management plans in place to preserve and improve them, Coillte’s team of ecologists and foresters used this technique to methodically rate sites based on their inherent value.

Coillte confirmed its long-term commitment to managing larger portions of its estate primarily for nature after achieving this significant goal.

In order to commemorate its dedication to promoting biodiversity, the company has created a pamphlet titled “Forests for Nature” that describes their approach to biodiversity management.

Additionally, it presents six case studies of nature restoration that illustrate Coillte’s methodology for forest and other habitat management.

The Uplands Project at Dublin Mountains Makeover, a Peatlands Case Study at Aghrane Bog, Co. Galway, a Water Case Study at Devil’s Glen, Glanmore, Co. Wicklow, a Rare Species Case Study on the Lesser Horseshoe Bat at Rossacroo, Co. Kerry, and two examples of forest biodiversity projects at Glenart, Co. Wicklow, and Hazelwood Forest Restoration Co. Sligo are all included.

With a variety of initiatives aimed at removing about 28 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2050, Coillte’s strategy for its forests is intended to maximize its contribution to Ireland’s climate goals.

While continuing to provide for the forest and wood products industries, it seeks to increase awareness of climate action and set challenging new goals for biodiversity and leisure.

Talking about the future, Carlin said that “looking ahead we remain committed to our long-term ambition of managing greater areas of our estate primarily for nature, while also ensuring the productive areas of the estate are carefully managed for the long-term supply of sustainably grown, certified Irish wood, supporting the delivery of sustainable homes and rural jobs.”