A new survey commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) shows widespread recognition of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of forests.

It also shows strong backing for planting more forests across the country. 

DAFM has today (Monday, July 13) published the findings of the Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026, conducted by IPSOS B&A.

Welcoming the publication of the survey, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said: “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.

"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.”

Survey on attitudes to forestry

The Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026 is the first in a series of research studies that DAFM 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;
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;
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:

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."

The findings of the survey will be used to inform future forestry policy and programme development.

Information about the Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026 was commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Fieldwork was conducted between November 13 and 30, 2025;
The survey included 1,216 nationally representative respondents aged 18+ across Ireland;
The research builds on a previous benchmark study conducted in 2021 to track changes in public attitudes over time;
The study explored public attitudes across themes including: climate; biodiversity; recreation and wellbeing; rural development; timber and construction; accessibility; local benefits; and perceptions of forestry policy.