Projects / 2017
RDS Community Woodland Award
National Recognition for Woodland Stewardship
In 2017, the Dunmore East Woods & Park Trust received national recognition as Runner-Up in the RDS Community Woodland Awards, celebrating the exceptional work carried out to restore and manage the woodland.
The award followed several years of significant effort, including the recovery from Storm Darwin, the completion of the Biodiversity Management Plan and the successful delivery of the NeighbourWood Scheme.
Together, these projects transformed the woodland while protecting its unique character, improving access for visitors and enhancing habitats for wildlife.
The RDS Community Woodland Awards recognise excellence in the management of community woodlands throughout Ireland.
For the Trust, achieving second place was a remarkable endorsement of the work carried out by volunteers, forestry professionals and community partners.
It demonstrated that a small volunteer-led organisation in Dunmore East was delivering woodland management to a nationally recognised standard.
A Shared Achievement
The award reflected the contribution of many people.
It recognised the commitment of volunteer trustees, the support of the local community, the expertise of ecological and forestry professionals and the partnerships developed with the Department of Agriculture, Waterford City & County Council and other organisations.
Most importantly, it recognised the vision that had guided the Trust since 1924: protecting the woodland while ensuring it remained a place for recreation, education and enjoyment.
Lasting Legacy
The award marked the successful completion of one of the most significant periods in the Trust’s modern history.
It confirmed that the investment in long-term planning, biodiversity conservation and sustainable woodland management had created a healthier, more resilient woodland for future generations.
Today, many of the improvements recognised by the judges continue to benefit everyone who visits Dunmore East Woods.