Regenerating Our Forests Donal Magner and Richard Nairn in conversation with Sylvia Thompson

The crucial role our trees play in maintaining the health of our planet is well known. The decimation of our natural forests has become one of the most controversial issues of our time, preserving and restoring them one of our most pressing issues. Journalist and author Sylvia Thompson is joined by two authors whose latest works address these issues and more. Donal Magner’s Why Forest? Why Wood? The Case for Multipurpose Forestry in an Uncertain Climate (The Lilliput Press) explores the fundamental values that constitute sustainable forestry and what that means to society, providing a comprehensive study of one of our greatest renewable resources and how it is the key to sustainable living in uncertain times. By turns shocking, hopeful and finally positive, Richard Nairn’s Future Wild (New Island) shows that the damage we have done to nature can also be undone by us, and that, with nature restoration, we can create a richer and more diverse environment for generations to come.

Supported by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland (formerly Science Foundation Ireland) as part of Science Week 2024.

Donal Magner, author of Why Forests? Why Wood? and Stopping by Woods is forestry editor of the Irish Farmers Journal. An advocate of sustainable forestry, he is also project manager of the all-Ireland Wood Awards Ireland. A recipient of the prestigious RDS-Forest Service Special Award for his contribution to Irish forestry in 2012, he holds master degrees from UCD and DCU. He contributes to a wide range of community and environmental projects as Environment Lead such as Rotary Ireland and director of An Tairseach, the Dominican Farm and Ecology Centre, Wicklow. A native of Castletownroche, County Cork, he now lives in Wicklow.

© Tom Honan

Richard Nairn is an ecologist and writer who has published seven previous books including a recent trilogy on nature in Ireland. He holds a Master’s Degree in Zoology and has published many scientific papers. During his long career he worked as a nature reserve warden and was the first National Director of BirdWatch Ireland. He lives on a small farm in County Wicklow which is dedicated to nature restoration.

Sylvia Thompson is an award-winning journalist and author.  She writes for The Irish Times on health, science and environmental issues.  Her books include Hands On: The art of crafting in Ireland and Test-Driving Complementary Therapies.  Other commissioned works include the Irish Handbook for the WHO Age Friendly Cities and Towns Programme (Age Friendly Ireland) and Up the Town: a celebration of the architecture of Irish towns (The Heritage Council).  She has chaired and spoken at environmental and health event, including the Royal Irish Academy 2023 reflective seminar on Ireland and the Covid-19 pandemic. She has an honours degree in psychology from Trinity College Dublin and a post-graduate diploma in journalism from Dublin City University.