Attend the Open Evening to Learn More About the DAERA Woodland Grant Scheme 2023 in Belfast Hills
Key Highlights :
Are you a landowner in the Belfast Hills area and considering planting new woodland? If so, you are invited to an open evening about the DAERA Woodland Grant Scheme 2023 at the Belfast Hills Partnership offices next week. The event will take place between 7pm and 9pm on July 25 at 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill.
The Belfast Hills Partnership will offer free advice, guidance, and materials for increasing tree coverage. A spokesperson for the charity explained: “Woodland Grants are designed to support landowners to plant new woodlands for environmental and economic benefits. There are two grants available; the Forest Expansion Scheme and the Small Woodland Grant Scheme.”
The Forest Expansion Scheme aims to encourage landowners to plant a wide range of sustainable new woodlands of three hectares and larger. The Small Woodland Grant Scheme is designed to support landowners to plant smaller scale new native woodlands that are at least 0.2 hectares in size. The scheme funds planting of trees, new stock fencing where required, and annual premium payments for a 10-year period.
Forest Service Chief Executive, John Joe O’Boyle, added: “Planting new woodlands is widely recognised as having an important role in mitigating impacts of climate change. The trees absorb carbon as they grow and store it. Well designed new woodlands also enhance the landscape, environment, create new habitats and support farm business sustainability.”
The Belfast Hills Partnership will assist with identifying suitable funding and applying to available grants, provide advice and guidance through every stage; from planting through to completion, conduct a free site visit, help landowners increase the tree cover and diversity on their land, improve existing hedgerows to increase boundary and bio-security, and help to restore existing woodland.
The charity has reminded landowners hoping to plant this Winter that all applications must be submitted to Forest Service before 3pm on Thursday, August 31. Early applications are encouraged. Meanwhile, Small Woodland Grant Scheme applications must be submitted through DAERA Online Services by 10pm on August 31.
All landowners in the Belfast Hills region who are considering applying to the scheme are welcome to Tuesday’s open evening to receive further information, guidance with their application, and answer any questions. Alternatively, landowners are encouraged to get in touch with Laura, Belfast Hills Partnership’s Woodland Officer, to discuss their options. Call 028 9060 3466 or email [email protected]
Attend the open evening to learn more about the DAERA Woodland Grant Scheme 2023 and the many benefits it can offer. The Belfast Hills Partnership will provide free advice, guidance, and materials for increasing tree coverage. They will also assist with identifying suitable funding and applying to available grants, provide advice and guidance through every stage, conduct a free site visit, and help to restore existing woodland. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to expand your woodland and get the most out of your land.
