The future of forests across West Fermanagh is set to be shaped with a new public engagement event.

Forest Service, an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), launched the event.

Planning forester Breandan Mulholland said: "As our forests develop as places of industry, environment and leisure, we are encouraging everyone to continue to make their feelings known. This engagement enables everyone to become involved at an early stage of the forestry planning process.

"West Fermanagh boasts some of the most iconic landscapes in Northern Ireland from the Magho Cliffs view point at Lough Navar Forest to Castle Archdale Forest on the shores of Lower Lough Erne. How we manage these forests will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

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"Over recent years Forest Service have worked in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to provide recreation facilities that includes the development of walking trails, car parks and other facilities.

"Forestry planning helps us deliver many services from our forests and woodlands, such as timber production and capture of carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. Regular reviews of forest plans ensure that they are up to date and allows us to monitor our forests to enable them to continue to meet the diverse and sometimes competing needs of people, wildlife, and wood processing industries."

The consultation paper identifies opportunities where forest plans could be improved, and suggests how this might be taken forward.

The consultation runs from 01 July to 31 August 2022.