First annual Excellence in Forestry Awards – winners
Date Issued: 16 August 2009
Woodlands of all shapes and sizes, as well as school woodland projects across Yorkshire and the North East, have won the praise of forestry and education experts judging the first Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Excellence in Forestry Awards.
The Awards, which were held in association with the Forestry Commission, were being piloted by the RFS in Yorkshire and the North East. Prizes for all five categories were presented at the Great Yorkshire Show, with the RFS Yorkshire Division ‘Teaching Trees’ project donating the Schools award first prize.
The success of the pilot means the awards are to be rolled out across the country next year, starting in London and the South East.
Forestry Judges Rodney Helliwell and Roderick Leslie toured 25 varied and fascinating woodlands, ranging from the expansive wilds of Upper Teesdale to new community woodlands close to the heart of bustling, multi-cultural Bradford.
They said: “Wherever we went we found commitment and enthusiasm from owners, stunningly beautiful places to enjoy, and many people benefiting from the places woodland owners have created and manage.
“We came away more convinced than ever of just how important woodlands are in our busy modern world, both as places to relax and as sustainable ‘factories’ for so many of the products we need in a future low carbon world.
“Our only regret is how hard, despite expert and thoughtful management, it is for foresters to make money at current timber prices. However, we found hope in the booming market for woodfuel and want to encourage all woodland managers to keep the supply of wood for energy flowing and increasing.”
The winners are:
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Duke of Cornwall Award for multipurpose forestry |
First Prize: Hovingham Estate, York Second: Upper Teesdale Estate, Darlington Special Commendation: Ralph Hoyle, Grimston Wood, York |
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Silviculture Award |
Joint First Prize:
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Community Forestry Award |
First Prize: The Heaton Woods Trust for Heaton Woods Second: Sheffield City Council for Ecclesall Woods |
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Farm Woodland Award |
First Prize: John Hepworth, Braemar Farm, Rolston, Hornsea, East Riding Second: Justin Arnold, Woodbottom Farm, Stainburn, Otley, North Yorkshire |
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Schools Award |
First Prize: Middleton in Teesdale Primary School Joint Second: Heaton Children’s Services Forest School North Yorks Moors juniper tree project |
For full details of all the winners and runners-up, including photographs and judges’ comments, go to RFS Excellence in Forestry 2009
RFS Chief Executive Dr John Jackson said: “This has been a highly successful pilot and we have been delighted by the interest it has attracted from woodland owners and from schools. We hope to develop the awards as a premier national event for foresters and woodland managers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
Crispin Thorn, Forestry Commission Regional Director Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the RFS awards in their first year and I was impressed by the interest in the competition.
“I hope the success spreads across the country in the future. Woodlands can help the local economy in many ways from timber and woodfuel businesses, to leisure, recreation and tourism. I believe these awards also show how trees, woods and forestry are important in other ways from education and learning outdoors, bringing communities together and keeping vital forestry skills alive."
The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/england . The FC contributed £5000 towards the Awards.