National Excellence in Forestry Awards launched

Woodland and forestry owners and managers across Yorkshire and the North East are the first to be invited to take part in a major new national competition launched in the region by the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) in association with the Forestry Commission. The RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards will then be rolled out across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on a seven-year rotation. RFS Chief Executive John Jackson said: “Forestry has a lot of good stories to tell and the Excellence in Forestry Awards have been developed to match the broad remit of forestry and woodland management in the 21st Century. They will raise the profile and understanding of active management of woodlands and will help showcase best practice across a range of different woodland types. “Yorkshire and the North East have many fine woodlands and a strong tradition of forestry and we are delighted to be able to launch the competition in this region. In year two the competition will be held in the South East of England and will then move to East Anglia and the East Midlands in Year Three.” There are five categories:

• The Duke of Cornwall's Award for multipurpose forestry – woodlands managed for a number of aims (objectives) such as timber production, recreation, public access and biodiversity.
• The RFS Silviculture Award for excellence in woodlands where the main aim is growing quality timber. Open to broadleaved and mixed coniferous plantations.
• The Farm Woodland Award where agricultural land produces the majority of income, but where woodlands are nevertheless an important element of the overall business plan. This category will enable farm managers who have incorporated woodlands into a holistic approach to land management through the Woodland Grant Scheme, the Farm Woodland Premium Schemes, and other initiatives, to participate.
• The Community Forestry Award celebrates initiatives providing a local amenity and the difference they make to local people.
• The Schools Award takes a flexible approach to learning about trees and woodlands. Schools do not need to have woodlands or trees on their land to enter. It is open to all ages. It could, for instance, involve a project looking at trees, or at specific wood products or at design using wood.

The competition is open to all individuals, companies, schools, Local Authorities, NGOs and voluntary Groups. The closing date for entries for 2009 is March 9th 2009. Judging will take place in May and the awards will be presented at the Great Yorkshire show in mid July. For further details about the competition contact RFS Competition Co-ordinator Trefor Thompson, Plas Canol, Llanrhydd, Ruthin, LL15 2UU; tel: 01824 704230 (office hours) or email woodlandcompetition@boyns.net