Strong support for Excellence in Forestry Awards

There have been strong entries across all five categories in a new Excellence in Forestry Awards being piloted by the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) in association with the Forestry Commission.

Entries were invited from across Yorkshire and the North East for the Duke of Cornwall’s Award for multipurpose forestry; the RFS Silviculture Award for woodlands where the main aim is growing quality timber; the Community Forestry Award to celebrate initiatives providing a local amenity; a Schools Award to recognise approaches to learning about trees and woodlands and a Farm Woodlands Award.

Judging the entries are author and forestry consultant Rodney Helliwell and Rod Leslie, Forestry Commission England’s former Head of Programmes, who took early retirement last year. The results will be announced at the Great Yorkshire Show in July.

RFS Chief Executive Dr John Jackson said: “All categories were well supported, and we are particularly delighted with the numbers of entries received for both the Schools Award and the Duke of Cornwall Award.

“There is a lot of good work being carried out across the country within forestry and woodland management and it often goes unnoticed. These awards help to highlight the benefits that our woodlands and forests have to communities, our environment and our economy.”