On 4th September 2025, Coillte announced the early delivery of a significant environmental milestone, having increased the proportion of its estate managed primarily for nature from 20% to 30%, four months ahead of schedule. This achievement represents the successful fulfilment of a key strategic objective outlined in Coillte’s strategic vision for its forests, first published in 2022. As a result, 134,000 hectares of land – an increase of 44,000 hectares – have been identified to be managed primarily for biodiversity across Ireland.
This progress has been made possible through Coillte’s BioClass system, a science-based framework developed to identify and classify the ecological value of areas on the Coillte estate. The BioClass system, functions as a habitat scoring process, assessing forests, bogs, and open landscapes based on defined ecological criteria. Using this system, Coillte’s team of ecologists and foresters systematically ranked sites according to their natural value, enabling the organisation to identify key biodiversity areas and implement bespoke management plans to protect and enhance them. Having reached this important target, Coillte reaffirmed its long-term commitment to managing greater areas of its estate primarily for nature.
“Forests for Nature is one of the four strategic pillars in Coillte’s long-term vision for the forest estate, and we’re proud to have reached this key milestone – expanding the area of land managed primarily for nature and biodiversity from 20% to 30%, ahead of schedule,” said Mark Carlin, MD of Coillte Forest. The importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity is increasingly recognised, both in Ireland and globally. 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.”
“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. This goal is part of our broader mission to balance the multiple benefits that forests provide – for climate, nature, wood and people.”
To mark its commitment to enhancing biodiversity, Coillte has produced a ‘Forests for Nature’ booklet which outlines Coillte’s approach to biodiversity management. It also showcases six nature restoration case studies demonstrating Coillte’s approach to managing forests and other habitats. Included are two examples of forest biodiversity projects at Glenart, Co. Wicklow and Hazelwood Forest Restoration Co. Sligo; 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; and a Rare Species Case Study on the Lesser Horseshoe Bat at Rossacroo, Co. Kerry.
Coillte’s strategic vision for its forests is designed to optimise its contribution to Ireland’s climate targets and includes a range of actions aiming to capture approximately 28 million tonnes of CO2 from the environment by 2050. It aims to bring more focus to climate action, setting ambitious new targets on biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver for the forest and wood products industry.
Coillte is responsible for the management of 440,000 hectares of primarily forested land, which represents 7% of the country. Since its establishment in 1989, it has enabled the development of a vibrant forestry and wood products sector that supports rural employment throughout Ireland. While sustainability has always been central to the way in which Coillte manages the forest estate, Coillte believes that the growing climate and biodiversity crises, as well as societal demands for housing, jobs and wellbeing, are driving a need for greater change.
Coillte are currently hiring a Nursery Manager.
