1903 The Government decided that a forestry policy was needed to encourage planting to increase our depleted timber stocks. A State Forest Service was established and Avondale in County Wicklow was acquired as the first forestry centre.

1910 The first land acquired for afforestation in Northern Ireland was at Ballykelly outside Limavady in Co. Londonderry. Knockmany, near Augher in Co. Tyrone followed in 1911 and Castlecaldwell in Co. Fermanagh in 1913.

1919 The Forestry Commission was set up with responsibility for forest policy and development.

1921 After the partition of Ireland, responsibility for the implementation of the Government's forestry programme in Northern Ireland was transferred to the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture. A total of 16,000 hectares of forest cover in Northern Ireland were mostly in private ownership.

1927 A grant scheme to encourage private forestry was introduced. It was largely unsuccessful in promoting private afforestation, with an annual planting of only 25 hectares up to the outbreak of the Second World War.

1943 A review of forest policy established the principle of creating a strategic forest resource in the UK. It was agreed that the annual state planting targets should be increased to 800 hectares. These targets were set by Parliament and this 'strategic policy' remained the governing principle for the next 27 years.

1945 A total of 8,000 hectares of state forest had been established. The first and second world wars had further depleted timber stocks. Many estates were in private ownership and woodland cover after this period contained only the very poorest stems with a significant amount of felling damage.

1955 Opening of the first Forest Park in Northern Ireland at Tollymore outside Newcastle in Co. Down.

1964 Afforestation peaked at 2,200 hectares per annum. The years 1946-1969 saw the greatest expansion of forestry in Northern Ireland, mainly on land which did not displace agricultural production.

1970 A White Paper on Forestry in Northern Ireland was published. The creation of a strategic reserve of timber as the primary aim of the forest programme was replaced by an emphasis on the efficient production and marketing of commercial timber. Other interests such as recreation, conservation, education and landscape were also to be considered against the primary objective of growing timber. Forests were therefore to be managed in accordance with this 'Multiple Use' concept. Afforestation targets for the state and private sectors were set at 120,000 hectares by the year 2000.

1988 The Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme were introduced. Higher levels of grant within these schemes resulted in a considerable increase in private afforestation in Northern Ireland.

1996 The UK Biodiversity Action Plan was endorsed by the Government arising from global concerns for the quality of our environment resulting, in particular, from man's negative impacts.

1998 The UK Forestry Standard was published and identifies the criteria and standards for sustainable management of forests in the UK, to which the Northern Ireland Forest Service is now committed. It provides the benchmark against which our forests are managed in order to ensure a combination of economic, social and environmental benefits now and for future generations also.

1998 The Forest Service was established as an Executive Agency within the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland (now the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development).

2000 Forest Service gains certification by an independent assessor under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS), indicating that our current forest management met key management standards.

2000 The NI Biodiversity strategy was launched which outlines how the UK Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented at a regional level.

2004 The Forest Service seeks public and industry opinions on the future of forestry in Northern Ireland with the release of the 'Options for Forestry' Consultation Paper.

2006 The Forest Service publishes its 'Strategy for Sustainability and Growth'.

2009 The Forest Service publishes its Recreation and Social Use Strategy.