Green Economy Foundation
Founded in 2002 as The Irish Natural forestry Foundation, and trading as Green Economy Foundation since 2015.Green Economy Foundation has its roots in forestry. We were founded to challenge the current Irish forestry model of large scale industrial plantations of Sitka spruce which are designed to be clear-felled. We fought for a forestry model that would promote sustainable planting, encourage native broadleaves and nurture a forestry culture where the social and environmental benefits were valued beyond the narrow commercial benefits.
Criticising government policy, the Forest Service and the state forestry company, Coillte, was not our only approach. We proudly work to hold them accountable but we also are proactive in our activities. We launched, and continue to operate, the Trees on the Land Project which has now planted over 2 million native trees throughout the island of Ireland according to the principles of sustainable development.
We established a nationally unique flagship forestry project, at our former headquarters Manch Estate, Cork, working as an NGO with government, a private landowner, and a forestry company, establishing new native woodland and managing the existing old broadleaf woodlands. The areas of woodland afforestation have a range of unique planting schemes including mixed species, shelter-well plots, national oak trials and regeneration studies.
Beyond forestry, we ran a successful Education Program for almost 20 years, until Covid restrictions forced us to reassess. Since then our Educational program has reduced in field visits, but we continue to use our experience and expertise to provide tailor-made education programmes and events.
In the last 5 years we have added a strategic focus on working with community groups and stakeholders. We collaborate with a range of organisations, formal and informal, including local campaign groups, researchers, Tidy Towns, farmers, community organisations, other environmental organisations and specialist groups such as our latest project on Donut Economics.
Our CEO, is also a member of the European Economic and Social Committee, an advisory body to the EU institutions as set out in the Treaty of Rome 1958. This gives us, and our members, a voice on the European and world stage and allows us to find ways to build synergies and collaborate. Without our environment, without Nature, we have nothing – no society, no economy, no peace. We work to speak on behalf of Nature.
Directors
Ian Wright
Debra Davies
Janine Murphy
Olive Finn
Gemma Keeling