This event will comprise two presentations:
- From Root to Roof: Forestry’s Role in a Sustainable Future
Join us for an insightful event in collaboration with VEON, Ireland’s leading forestry and ecology consultancy, as we explore the critical role of forestry and biodiversity in a sustainable future. This session will address the pressing challenges climate change poses to achieving national forestry goals, while highlighting the importance of sustainable timber for Ireland’s construction future. VEON will also delve into the vital role of ecological services and how every individual and business, regardless of land ownership, can make a difference in protecting biodiversity.
The event will feature a compelling case study from a corporate partner, Cook Medical, in Limerick, showcasing real-world applications of corporate environmental responsibility.
Presenters:
- Dermot Fenton, Woodlands Resource Manager, VEON
- Dr. Amy Haigh, Biodiversity and Mammal Lead, VEON
- Anne Pears, New Business Development Manager, VEON
During this session you will hear about:
- The issues of Climate change in achieving the forestry goals required.
- The importance of Forestry in Ireland to provide building resources for our future sustainability.
- The importance of Ecology Services and why biodiversity is something we can all play our part in. Corporate companies in particular. Thinking outside of the walls of your property. Even if you’re not a land owner.
2. Partnering for a Greener Future: Council and Community Climate Solutions in Clare, presented by Clare County Council
Also, we will be joined by Morgan Lahiffe, who will talk through the key elements of Clare County Council’s Climate Action Plan, highlighting how the Council is empowering communities through funding opportunities to support local climate initiatives. Morgan will also share the steps the Council is taking on its own climate journey, offering insights into the organisation’s commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership.
Registration is from 12.00 pm and event will start at 12.30 pm
This event is Free of charge, but please register online to secure your place!
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Dr. Amy Haigh
Amy Haigh has twenty years’ experience conducting research and working in the field of ecology, with extensive stakeholder engagement and survey skills. Amy has obtained funding and lead independent research on three mammal related projects through her PhD at University College Cork and subsequent post docs in conjunction with Fota Wildlife Park and University College Cork and in Teagasc Moorepark. While working in University College Dublin, she assisted on several projects on the fallow deer at Phoenix Park with the Lab of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour. She subsequently worked on multiple plans advising landowners on enhancing their land for biodiversity and amalgamating research on this topic. She has disseminated her research through several mediums including 40 publications in peer reviewed journals, presenting at international conferences, stakeholder workshops, teaching and through the popular press. Since joining Veon in 2024, she has been involved in several large projects, collecting data for ecological assessment as well as for specific bird and mammal surveys. These have informed subsequent reports such as Natura Impact Statements (NIS), Environmental Impact Statements (EcIA), Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP), Winter Bird and Breeding Bird Survey Reports and Non-Volant Mammal Reports, which Amy has produced.
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Anne Pears
Anne Pears is a dynamic business development leader currently working in Forestry, Ecology, and Arboriculture (Tree health Surveys). At Veon, Anne drives CSR initiatives that enable SMEs and corporations to actively contribute to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. Veon manages some projects of Ireland’s most significant estates, including Ballyfin Demesne, Slane Castle Estate, Brown Forman Distillery, Collatin Estate. Forestry has important ecological and economic value and if appropriately managed, will visibly enhance the measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) value of your company even if you are not a landowner. At Veon Anne also works extensively with Architects, Construction companies, State and Semi state bodies, Wind and Solar farms, County and City Councils and private companies across Ireland – In terms of Ecology and Tree health surveys She has 20 yrs plus in Medical Device and Pharmaceutical manufacturing through to packaging, from startups, to corporate scaling, where she excelled in project management and strategic growth. Understanding the Corporate world and how bespoke projects outside of the 4 walls can have a massive impact on employee engagement and community leaving a gift for future generations. Anne is passionate about increasing biodiversity on our beautiful Island of Ireland where we can all play our part.
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Dermot Fenton
Dermot has over 30 years’ experience as a professional forester manager both in Ireland and the UK. Having graduated from Aberdeen University with a BSc in Forest Management his earlier career was spent in plantation establishment and maintenance and is also a technical member of the Society of Irish Foresters (MSIF). Dermot joined Veon as Woodland Resource Manager in 2021 with his role ranging from establishing and managing woodland projects to carrying our due diligence on the purchase of multimillion-euro forestry portfolios on behalf of institutional investors and family wealth funds. His experience is wide ranging and includes all aspects of woodland management; from establishment to harvesting, including managing forest portfolios and all operations within, forest valuations, plantation purchasing, forest estate management, Continuous Cover Forest management, forest inventory and planning, forest roading, woodland improvement, neighbour wood schemes along with consultancy services. Dermot’s role has expanded over time into the management the woodland estates and project coordinator for landscaping operations within large scale renewable projects .This work on estates involves the management of commercial conifers, conversion of old woodlands to native woodlands, invasive species plans to remove Laurel and Rhododendron, constructing and upgrading the infrastructure. On renewable projects Dermot is responsible for overseeing the establishment of new native hedgerows and reinstating existing ones.
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Morgan Lahiffe
As Senior Engineer and Climate Action Coordinator with Clare County Council, Morgan Lahiffe leads the Climate Action and Energy section, overseeing the development and implementation of Clare’s first Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2024. This work is focused not only on meeting statutory emissions and energy efficiency targets but also on supporting communities and sectors across the county in adopting sustainable practices and committing to climate action. With over 18 years of project management experience across multiple local authority service areas, including Water Services, Roads & Transportation, and Municipal Districts, Morgan has developed a broad skill set in infrastructure planning and service delivery. As the designated Energy Performance Officer for Clare County Council, responsibilities include advancing energy management strategies, promoting responsible consumption, and overseeing the retrofitting of council assets to improve efficiency and sustainability. Beyond the public sector, Morgan has a decade of experience in large-scale civil engineering projects, spanning wastewater treatment facilities, motorway construction, and commercial and industrial developments. A graduate of the University of Galway with a degree in Civil Engineering, Morgan is also a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland.
