Safeguarding Ireland’s Heritage: The AshforFuture Initiative for Restoring Ash Trees

Minister Hackett Launches Teagasc-Led Project To Help Safeguard Future Of Ireland’s Ash Trees

A groundbreaking forestry research initiative known as AshforFuture has been initiated, with the aim of safeguarding and restoring ash trees in Ireland. This significant project was inaugurated by Minister of State Pippa Hackett during its inaugural meeting at the Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre in Dublin.

Leading the charge, Teagasc has collaborated with various entities, gathering financial support from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. The project is a synergistic effort, uniting a multidisciplinary team of experts from regions across Ireland and Europe.

Senator Pippa Hackett, who holds the responsibility for forestry, expressed the critical importance of tackling the formidable challenges presented by ash dieback disease. This disease threatens to destabilize ash populations throughout the island, a battle that has waged on for over a decade.

In her address at the launch, Minister Hackett remarked, “Ash trees hold immense historical, cultural, and ecological significance in Ireland. Our efforts to support forest owners facing the severe impacts of ash dieback began with an Action Plan earlier this year, which includes a financial package of €79 million alongside compensation for reconstituting ash plantations. The AshforFuture project marks an essential milestone in addressing the enduring effects of ash dieback. By engaging in innovative research, this endeavor aims to discover disease-resistant ash trees, thereby facilitating the restoration of these iconic trees to our environment. I laud the collaborative initiatives of Teagasc, AFBI, UCD, DAFM, and all involved stakeholders in this crucial project.”

Funded by the DAFM’s 2023 Thematic Research Call, AshforFuture has been allocated €770,000, including €260,000 from DAERA. The project focuses on the selection, propagation, and breeding of disease-resistant ash genotypes to counteract the devastation wrought by the invasive pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which has primarily driven the widespread ash dieback throughout Ireland.

Praising the project’s commencement, Teagasc Director, Professor Frank O’Mara, shared, “The AshforFuture project exemplifies the essential role of collaborative research in confronting real-world challenges such as ash dieback disease. By partnering with key stakeholders and institutions, we aim to devise long-term, sustainable solutions to bolster the future of our forests and the biodiversity they uphold. I’m thrilled to witness this project progress with such a robust team of researchers and stakeholders.”

The AshforFuture project spans four years and harnesses the combined knowledge and expertise of organizations that include Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, University College Dublin, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, None-so-Hardy Forestry Ltd, Coillte, the Office of Public Works, the Woodlands of Ireland, the Native Woodland Trust, and the Forest Genetic Resources Trust. Efforts will concentrate on four pivotal areas:

1. AshComm: Improving stakeholder communication and disseminating research findings.
2. AshGen: Utilizing molecular markers to select and propagate resilient ash trees, ensuring a robust population.
3. AshPath: Analyzing the interaction between the disease and ash trees, evaluating tree health and pathogen variability.
4. AshSilva: Assessing silvicultural systems that encourage natural regeneration and resilience through species diversity.

Dr. Dheeraj Rathore, the project coordinator, emphasized the scientific breakthrough central to this mission, stating, “AshforFuture brings together state-of-the-art research in genetics, pathology, and silviculture, driving the development of pragmatic solutions for the forestry sector. Through strong collaboration with stakeholders across Ireland and beyond, the project aims to rekindle the presence of ash trees within the Irish landscape, offering a wide array of ecological benefits.”

Capitalizing on the strength of partnerships between research institutions, industry experts, and governmental entities will be crucial to realizing the goals of AshforFuture. This collaborative model ensures that the project’s insights and solutions are effectively translated into tangible actions, benefiting not only Ireland but also other nations grappling with ash dieback.