Northern Ireland Landowners Invited to Apply for Woodland Planting Support

Landowners in Northern Ireland can apply for funding to plant new native woodlands under the Small Woodland Grant Scheme. Administered by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the scheme is part of the Forests for Our Future programme, which aims to plant 18 million trees and create 9,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030.

The scheme offers a variety of supports, including an establishment grant of £2,925 per hectare, annual payments of £3,500 per hectare for 10 years on agricultural land, and a stock fencing grant at £6 per metre. It is open to farmers, landowners, charitable organisations and local councils.

Eligible projects must involve the creation of woodlands of 0.20 hectares or more on land that is not currently wooded. This includes both agricultural and non-agricultural land. The grants are designed to cover costs related to tree planting, maintenance, and income foregone from agricultural production.