In this interview I speak with Alan McCabe who is the Manager at Glaslough Tyholland Group Water Scheme in North Co Monaghan. We briefly discuss how Alan manages his own forest and his role as Co Monaghan representative on the IFA Forestry Committee including challenges surrounding ESB corridors in existing forests. Then we discuss the River Blackwater Catchment Trust who have a project to remove self seeded conifers off the heather boglands of Sliabh Beagh (which is in Monaghan, Tyrone and Fermanagh): we explore how they do this and why it matters.

Alan McCabe on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mccabe-0485b7162/

The Blackwater River Catchment Trust: https://blackwatercatchmenttrust.org/

Glaslough Tyholland Group Water Scheme: https://gtgws.ie/
The IFA Forestry Committee: https://www.ifa.ie/sector-committees/forestry-committee/

National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) https://www.npws.ie/peatlands-and-turf-cutting/protected-raised-bog-restoration-incentive-scheme-prbris

forestrynow.eu

[0:00:01] Introduction & Alan McCabe’s Forest Management

[0:07:25] Joining the IFA Forestry Committee: Roles and Activities

[0:10:54] Committee Advocacy: Wind Blow, Timber Prices, and Owner Support

[0:14:00] ESB Access and Powerline Corridor Management

[0:19:25] Licensing Objections and Ministry Liaison

[0:20:49] River Blackwater Catchment Trust: Overview and Goals

[0:27:06] Peatland Site Description: Species, Geography, Significance

[0:29:50] Invasive Self-Seeded Conifers: Project and Impact

[0:34:06] Other Invasives and Habitat Challenges

[0:35:13] Physical Removal, Drone Use, and Safety Considerations

[0:37:30] Native Species Self-Seeding: Habitat Change Drivers

[0:39:27] Peat Extraction History and Bog Restoration Plans

[0:40:18] Advice and Priorities for Forest Owners