The Native Woodland Trust is an Irish environmental non-governmental organisation established in 2000 with the aims of restoring and protecting Irish native woodland. The Trust is dedicated to protecting the remains of Ireland's ancient woodlands from further damage and destruction, letting them grow again, and the restoration of woodland across Ireland using native tree species.
Governance
The Trust's model is a voluntary board of trustees and small core staff with volunteers in local areas. The Trust is registered under 'Irish Woodland Trust' but trades as Native Woodland Trust. The Native Woodland Trust is a member of the Irish Environmental Network and the . The Trust is a membership organisation with a subscription magazine WOODLAND.
Stated Aims and Principles
The Trust's stated aims and principles are as follows:
Aims
The protection, preservation and expansion of Ireland's existing ancient and semi-natural woodlands.
The creation of new woodlands throughout Ireland, where these would naturally occur.
The restoration of the original flora, fauna and avi-fauna of Ireland's woodlands
To increase native woodland bio-diversity through suitable habitat creation and sensitive management.
The preservation of every species and identifiable genotype of Ireland's native trees.
Principles
New woodlands will only be created using native seed from native species from within a 10-mile radius of the new woodland. Where this is not possible, the nearest native source will be used.
Where re-introduction of an extinct species is proposed, new stock will be sourced from a region of similar climate and conditions, taking into account historical evidence of specific attributes.
Expansion of existing woodlands will, as far as possible, be allowed to occur by natural regeneration.
Management of woodlands will be undertaken to the exclusion of all exotic flora and fauna, except where this may adversely effect native species or will be to the detriment of an area of beauty or local significance.
Hunting, trapping and harvesting will not be permitted on Trust property except where it applies to the management of exotic species.
Management of woodlands will be based on minimal human intervention, exceptions being:for the safety of visitors and the general public, it shall be deemed acceptable, in exceptional circumstances, for a woodland or land to be sold or swapped in order to better facilitate the overall aims of the trust, but not for reasons of commercial gain or future investment, where an area of land or woodland contains another habitat type, which is deemed to be of significance, it shall be maintained in its natural or non-woodland state, or for the support of troubled native species for the elimination of exotic species where an existing management scheme is in place and its cessation will cause a reduction in bio-diversity
Any human intervention will be carried out using traditional techniques with minimal use of mechanised equipment.
All donated woodlands shall be held in their natural state, in the ownership of the Trust, in perpetuity.
It shall be deemed acceptable, in exceptional circumstances, for a woodland or land to be sold or swapped in order to better facilitate the overall aims of the trust, but not for reasons of commercial gain or future investment.
All woodlands shall be open to the public and shall be held for the enjoyment of the general public, subject to issues of safety and conservation.
Humphrystown Wood is located further south along the Blesington lakes in Wickow
Coille na Luise
Coille na Luise is located above the village of Laragh, Co. Wicklow and overlooking Annamoe. It was acquired for planting new woodland and was named after an 200+ year old rowan tree found on the site, luis being an old Irish word for rowan.
Girley Wood
Girley Wood was established on the edges of Girley Bog in Co. Meath
