About Us – Ecoplan Forestry

Ecoplan Forestry was established in 2007 when Sean McGinnis, following many years working in all aspects of the Irish forestry sector, became disillusioned with the predominantly commercial, exotic, conifer, monoculture, focus of the industry. Although commercial forestry was (and is) very important, there weren’t many options for those who wanted something different.

He wanted to offer alternative forest management solutions that emphasised biodiversity, amenity, aesthetic and wellness values alongside financial returns, to propose native broadleaves instead of exotic conifers, continuous-cover principles instead of clearfell, enlightened forest management instead of tree-farming.

Enlightened forest management is about the entire forest, not just the trees. Drain and water run-off management improves rivers and enhances aquatic life, plantation design improves the landscape, species, age, and height diversity improves flora and fauna biodiversity, manual weed control avoids unnecessary chemical damage – there are endless advantages and benefits.

Public opinion about traditional forest management is changing at long last, and all the major players in Ireland are paying lip-service, but do they really believe? Ecoplan was created to specialise in alternative, environmentally sensitive, forest management that provides a long-term sustainable income; so regardless of the location, size or composition of your woodland, if you can ‘see the wood for the trees’ or just want to know a bit more, just get in touch with Ecoplan.

At Ecoplan, we cover the full range of forestry work in Ireland — from forest establishment and long-term management to harvesting, consultancy, and valuation. But what truly sets us apart is our passion for native woodlands. We believe these forests are not only vital for biodiversity, but also for the people who live alongside them. That’s why we put so much focus on projects like nat ive woodland conservation, helping landowners create new woodlands and care for existing ones.

Our approach is built on the idea of enlightened forestry — combining practical expertise with a respect for the wider landscape. It’s not just about meeting grant criteria; it’s about creating woodlands that will thrive and benefit the owners and its wildlife for generations. And because we believe raising awareness is just as important as practice, we use our latest articles to highlight challenges, show examples, and promote a better understanding of what responsible forestry looks like in Ireland today.