The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has published the findings of the Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026, conducted by IPSOS B&A, showing widespread recognition of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of forests, and strong backing for planting more forests across the country. 

Welcoming the publication of the survey, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said: “This publication provides valuable insights into public attitudes towards forestry in Ireland. Listening to the views of the public is an important part of developing effective policy, and this survey will help to inform our approach to forestry. Forestry is an integral component of contemporary farming and land use management as well as helping us meet our national climate and biodiversity targets. These findings clearly show a strong public recognition of the value of forestry and alignment between the views of the public and our ambition to continue to develop a vibrant forestry sector that delivers for farmers, communities, and the country as a whole.”

The Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026 is the first in a series of research studies that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will publish in 2026, providing further social and behavioural insights. 

Commenting on the findings, Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins, said: “This research shows that people in Ireland recognise the importance of forestry and support growing our forest estate. What really stands out is that forestry is no longer seen through a single lens. People increasingly recognise forests as a public good that benefits everyone – from providing a source of sustainable timber, supporting biodiversity and climate action to enhancing wellbeing”

 This nationally representative research found that:

• 89% believe that planting more forests and woodlands will help Ireland meet climate targets,
• 93% believe increasing forest cover will support biodiversity and improve habitats for plants and wildlife,
• 89% believe forests are important for supporting mental health and wellbeing 
• 82% believe forests help create jobs in rural areas and support local communities, and
• 73% would like to see more forests and woodlands available locally in their county.

The research also found strong support for current policy measures to increase forest cover, with: 

• 74% supporting the use of public land for new forests, and 
• 68% supporting financial incentives for farmers and landowners to plant trees.

Compared with the results of the previous survey in 2021, several notable shifts in public attitudes were identified, including:

• Forest visitation has increased significantly, with 78% of adults saying they visited a forest or woodland in the past year, up from 58% in 2021.
• The proportion of the public calling for a lot more forests locally has grown to 44%, up from 38% in 2021.
• Nature has become the most important perceived local benefit of forests and woodlands (27%, up from 14% in 2021), overtaking climate (14%, down from 24% in 2021).
• There appears to be a growing demand for wood, with:
  • 44% of people saying they would prefer to live in a home built mainly from sustainably sourced timber and renewable materials, rising from 26% in 2021, and 
  • more households using wood for cooking or heat, with 58% now using at least one source of wood fuel in the last 12 months compared with 41% in 2021.

Minister Collins added: “It is especially encouraging to see the growing number of people visiting forests and woodlands in recent years. People increasingly value forests as places to walk, relax, and connect with nature locally. These findings highlight the importance of continuing to develop forests that are accessible, sustainable, and deliver for communities, nature, and the wider economy. My Department will use the findings to inform future forestry policy and programme development, ensuring that public views help shape how forestry is planned and delivered in Ireland.”

Forestry