Pro Silva Ireland
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Pro Silva Ireland

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

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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.
More about Us

Exploring CCF in Ireland

Our Resource Centre brings together a growing collection of guides, videos and animations to help forest owners, foresters and land managers understand and apply CCF in practice.

Explore the Resource Centre

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. 

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News and Events

Biodiversity and water

Continuous Cover Forestry for Biodiversity and Water

How can forests be managed to support biodiversity, protect water and still produce timber? This fully field-based workshop explores how Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) can work with natural forest processes to deliver nature restoration and protect water resources, through practical discussion and exercises.
3.1.1 treefelling harvester 6

CCF Workshop for Forestry Contractors

Pro Silva Ireland is offering a one-day in-forest workshop on CCF harvesting operations, designed for forestry contractors, including machine operators, chainsaw operatives and other forest workers involved in harvesting operations. It is also suitable for professional forest managers responsible for planning and overseeing harvesting activities who wish to develop their knowledge and practical skills in CCF operations.