‘It has been a great privilege to be involved in the Excellence in Forestry Awards,’ says Owen, ‘and to visit some truly remarkable woodlands. There were terrific examples of forest management in all of the categories.’
True to Royal Forestry Society’s emphasis on learning, winners first enjoyed a guided tour of the grounds of Lotherton Hall. Then they got down to the serious business of receiving their awards, and making a few Oscars-style acceptance speeches!
‘Not only was it terrific to celebrate what most might consider mainstream forestry, it was also very humbling to hear about the life-changing work of the winners of the Education and Learning Award and the Urban and Community Forestry Award,’ says Owen.
The Excellence in Forestry Awards cover a different region each year, and this year covered the north of England.
First prize in the Small and Farm Woodlands Award went to Gary Primrose for the management of Sawrey Ground Plantation near Hawkshead, Cumbria; truly multi-functional and yet low impact woodland management, with clear economic, environmental and social benefits. Second prize went to James Ogilvie, whose management of Moss Wood included
outstanding recreational and educational access to features of the area’s industrial heritage.
Prizes in the Award for Excellence in Silviculture recognised the exceptional quality of management on two traditional estates; the first prize was accepted by forester Shaun Purkiss for outstanding new plantings at Zetland Estates, and second prize went to Robert Nevins for the quality of restocking and subsequent management on the Ford and Etal Estates.
First prize in the Duke of Cornwall’s Award for Resilient Woods was received by Lady Feversham for FSC certified Helmsley Estate, whose diverse woodlands are managed by Tilhill. Second prize was received by David Robson of Egger Forestry for the diversification of previously under-managed conifer stands at Warren and Lalbuss. And a special commendation was given to Ralph Hoyle for his management of Grimston Wood, in particular his establishment of an arboretum of unusual conifer and broadleaf species.
To learn more about this year’s winners, the award categories, and the regions covered in the coming years click here.
This article was first featured in our bi-monthly e-magazine Forest Matters. Interested in keeping up to date with the latest forestry news? Subscribe today by clicking here