Greetings to all EKE working party members! It has been almost 3 weeks since the conclusion of the working party meeting in Galway, Ireland. Ireland and the current efforts to rebuild its forest industry and encourage traditional farmers to include planting and tending trees as part of their farming activities, provided the perfect backdrop for exploring issues of the human dimensions of changing landscapes. Extension and knowledge exchange does not exist only in the world of natural resource management: extension has a responsibility to help individuals and communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. This is the challenge facing Ireland and it provided the foundation for this conference.
We were hosted by the Forestry Development Department, Teagasc, Agriculture and Food Development Authority of Ireland. Dr. Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, head of the Department provided for the on-site program arrangements. The conference was kicked-off at an evening social, complete with live traditional Irish music and food, and of course, Guinness! The conference delegates were officially welcomed by the mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Frank Fahy, and Dr. Niall Farrelly, President of the Society of Irish Foresters.
The conference focus was the evolution of extension and knowledge exchange within the context of a rapidly changing world. Changes in environmental conditions brought about by climate change, governmental policies, etc., sparked lively discussions regarding the role of extension and knowledge exchange in addressing these and other issues. Presentation topics included, knowledge transfer challenges for new forest owners in Ireland, forest biomass and bioenergy programs for landowners and communities, engaging citizens in climate science, building capacity for forest advisors and extensionists through information networks, developing peer-to-peer learning models, facilitating collaborative forest management, and public issues education and science policy.
The agenda included a 1-day field tour, led by Teagasc Forestry Advisors, Noel Kennedy and Michael Somers. Participants were introduced to forest owner John O’Connell, who operates a mushroom growing business in his forest, and John Torpey, Ireland’s top producer of Hurley sticks.
The next meeting of the Extension & Knowledge Exchange Working Party will be held in Ontario, Canada during September 2016. Exact dates and locations will be announced soon. For the 2016 meeting we are tentatively planning on producing a published proceedings, so stay tuned for upcoming submission requests.
Best to you all!
Regards,
Janean
EKE WP Coordinator:
Janean Creighton (United States)
Deputies:
John Pineau (Canada)
Ales Poljanec (Slovenia)
Sally Upfold (South Africa)
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