Formal and informal – a root and branch approach to learning

As forestry and woodland management becomes ever more challenging in a world of uncertain markets, the need for both formal and informal learning remains vital, says Royal Forestry Society (RFS) chief executive Dr John Jackson.

Formal qualifications, short courses and workshops play a key role in promoting skills, new ideas and technologies, but, he says, there can be no substitute for first-hand experiences.

The RFS is amongst organisations regularly offering woodland meetings to members involved in forestry, estate management and the wood supply chain. The meetings are often held at estates and woodlands not open to the public, and they provide an opportunity to tap into the years of first hand experience of the assembled foresters and owners which no text book can offer.

Dr John Jackson says: “As an organisation we positively encourage formal learning through our RFS Level 6 Professional Diploma and Level 2 Certificate – both awarded through ABC – but we also recognise that learning does not end with formal qualifications.

“Knowledge of woodlands and their management has traditionally been passed from woodsman to woodsman and from generation to generation. Such knowledge sharing still has a major part to play in our industry. Woodland meetings allow a vast reservoir of industry knowledge to be tapped, and are cost-effective and invaluable opportunities to discuss the issues that exist in these challenging times.”

The value of such meetings is recognised by a number of bodies. In the case of the RFS woodland meetings, they have been confirmed as counting towards Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements for The Institute of Chartered Foresters The Arboricultural Association, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

Dr Jackson said: “Every year, through our 21 Divisions, more than 100 visits are arranged across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, often to woodlands, parks and estates not usually open to the public, but also to sawmills, country parks, furniture makers, paper mills and elsewhere.

“Topics vary according to the venue. Squirrel control, eradication of rhododendron ponticum, chestnut canker, density levels, underplanting, harvesting, butterfly conservation, PAWS, woodland flora, cattle grazing, climate change, continuous cover, woodfuel, public access and growing quality timber are amongst the many subjects which have been recently aired.”

The RFS 2009 visits calendar already includes visits to a number of estates, parklands, nurseries and the International Boat Building Training College, a well as seminars on PAWS restoration, a visit to France and a study tour to Bavaria. The five-day Whole Society Meeting will be concentrating on the woodlands of North Wales, visiting Coed Y Brenin, the Mostyn Estate and Sawmill, Bodnant Gardens, Vale of Ffestiniog and Gwydyr Forest of the Leighton Redwood Grove.

The RFS woodland meetings are open to all its members. More information is available on the RFS web site.

Pictured: Comparing current and historic land use on the Mynde estate with ecologist and landscape historian David Lovelace, centre, at a meeting of the RFS Herefordshire Division (Photo: Chris Johnson, RFS)