Walks popular during Covid
HAZELWOOD IN CALRY IS IN THE TOP TEN OF THE MOST POPULAR FOREST
Coillte says visitor numbers to some of its most popular recreational forests have doubled to tripled since lockdown began last year as it revealed its top ten most visited forests during Covid-19 which includes Hazelwood, Sligo which came in at number 6.
It had 5,213 visitors in February 2020, 6,871 in December 2020 which was a 32% rise.
“We’re delighted so many people are using their local forests more during this difficult and prolonged Covid lockdown,” said Imelda Hurley, Coillte’s CEO. “Healthy forests are not only beautiful to look at but provide a much needed physical and mental wellness boost.”
It’s widely agreed fresh air and green outside spaces enhance people’s mood, happiness and overall health.
“This is particularly important right now,” said Hurley. “We’re glad people’s local forests are a healthy and positive outlet for them. We simply ask that Covid-19 restrictions be adhered to when visiting.”
Things you didn’t know about Ireland’s local forests: There are approximately 6,000 Coillte forest properties nationwide, all of which are open to the public.
There are 260 Coillte managed recreational forests. Forests clean the air we breathe and convert CO2 into O2. Our forests are the biggest carbon sink in the country, cleaning the equivalent of 70% of car emissions p.a. They provide homes for a myriad of natural wildlife including deer, red squirrels, badgers, owls and insects to name but a few.
Almost 80% of Coillte’s forests are working forests. They produce the most commonly used wood in modern Irish homes. The wood in the roofs, walls and floors is made from a coniferous tree called Sitka Spruce, a species especially suited to growing in Ireland’s wet and temperate climate. Many trees can grow twice as fast in Ireland compared with Europe, due to our soil and climate. Commercial forestry supports around 12,000 jobs in mostly rural areas.
When carbon dioxide (CO2) is converted into Oxygen (O2) the remaining carbon element is stored in the tree. That is why wood/trees are described as a great store for carbon.Wood is a renewable resource and it is widely agreed that forests are one of the fastest and most eco-friendly ways to help tackle climate change.
All of Coillte’s forests are managed sustainably – to the exacting standard set by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC is an internationally recognised benchmark for certifying high quality sustainable forest management.