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Pro Silva Ireland

Advancing Continuous Cover Forestry to prioritise the integration of environmental, social and economic benefits of forests

Pro Silva Ireland

Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), also known as closer-to-nature forestry, is a forest management system that integrates the environmental, social and economic benefits of forestry by maintaining the forest canopy and embracing natural regeneration to replace harvested trees.

Environmental

CCF is a forest management practice that respects the natural processes of forest growth and renewal, creates space for biodiversity and protects habitats

Social

CCF enables the development of permanent forests, which provide society with multiple social benefits, including beautiful spaces for recreation and well-being

Economic

At the heart of CCF management is the management of individual trees for the production of quality timber, ensuring that the forest ecosystem is profitable and sustainable

About Pro Silva Ireland

For over 20 years, Pro Silva Ireland has been advancing CCF practice on the island of Ireland through education and demonstration. Permanent, diverse, sustainable CCF forests meet human needs, preserve biodiversity and are more resilient to change.
With over 200 members, Pro Silva Ireland has grown as an active organisation promoting knowledge, policies and practical examples of continuous cover forestry management in counties across Ireland.
Pro Silva Ireland has an agreed All Ireland policy that works towards our mission.

A Guide to Continuous Cover Forestry Practice in Ireland

Pro Silva Ireland has produced a comprehensive guide on continuous cover forestry (CCF) for those who what to grow a sustainable timber resource while actively promoting the wider benefits provided by forests.

It contains guidance for CCF management at any stage in a forest’s development in Ireland, and incorporates the knowledge gained by Pro Silva Ireland’s pioneering CCF practitioners, acquired through real practice in Irish forests.

This book is an invitation to join the task of implementing a more sustainable and resilient approach to forest management across Ireland.