The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership and collaboration in nature conservation.

The MOU outlines a framework for joint efforts to protect, enhance, and restore important ecosystems across Ireland. Priority areas include raised and blanket bog, heaths, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and threatened species like the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Hen Harrier, Merlin, and breeding waders.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD welcomed the agreement, stating that it presents a significant opportunity to restore nature at scale. He emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to biodiversity conservation.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett said: "I believe the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between Coillte and NPWS will ultimately prove to be a very positive step for the enhancement of our natural environment. Given the scale of their respective land banks and expertise, as well as the impending introduction of the Nature Restoration Law, closer collaboration between these two State agencies is a really welcome move, and I am excited to see the relationship between Coillte and NPWS go from strength to strength in the coming years."

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Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of NPWS said: "Coillte is one of the largest landowners in the State and is already undertaking progressive projects and providing strategic leadership for nature across its landholdings. NPWS is delighted to enter this Memorandum of Understanding with the company, as it is a portal to significant future projects and cooperation for nature and, in particular, in relation to Hen Harrier conservation, peatlands’ restoration and wetlands initiatives."

Imelda Hurley, CEO Coillte said: "Coillte is delighted to significantly deepen its collaboration with NPWS through this MoU. The objective of this MoU aligns perfectly with our own strategic ambitions to balance and deliver the multiple benefits of forests for climate, nature, wood and people. One of our strategic ambitions is to enhance and restore biodiversity by increasing the area of our estate managed primarily for nature from 20% to 30% by 2025 and to transform areas of our forests so that 50% of our estate is managed primarily for nature in the long-term, while continuing to supply sustainably grown Irish wood. We look forward to commencing this important work with NPWS as soon as possible."

The MOU outlines areas of cooperation, including biodiversity enhancement, forest redesign, peatland restoration, habitat assessment, policy and regulation, and scientific research. The first project under the MOU will focus on protecting the Hen Harrier in the Slieve Blooms.