Royal Forestry Society - RFS

27/10/2026

⭐ New Featured Article!
🌳 Not all trees are equal: Which tree species is more important than tree species diversity when considering provision of resilience for tree-associated biodiversity?

“When planning diverse tree species mixes... it is crucial that consideration is given to which tree species are within the mix.”

👉 Read more: https://rfs.org.uk/insights-publications/quarterly-journal-of-forestry/qjf-featured-articles/

The James Hutton Institute RSPB Aberdeen City Council Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

23/10/2026

🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the Small & Farm Woodland of the Year Award at the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2026!

🏆 Taking gold - Hole Park Estate
“Edward Barham has been practicing agroforestry, producing very high-quality cricket bat willow for over 25 years, and from what we saw was ahead of the curve in the production of butts to the rigorous specification of the buyers. A full range of planting years, from one-year-old setts to mature trees, were visited.”

🥈 Winning silver - Great Thorndean Woods
“A worthy winner of the Silver Award in Small and Farm Woodlands, we were impressed by the thorough and clear approach to achieving a mixed broadleaved crop… from what was previously in a poor condition into what is now much restored and healthy.”

Read more: www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/small-farm-woodland-award-2026/

💚 Thank you so much to our sponsors FSC UK, and all those who entered!

Hole Park Garden

22/10/2026

🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the Community Woodland of the Year Award at the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2026!

🏆 Taking gold - William Robinson Gravetye Charity Estate
“We were particularly impressed by the detailed way the charity has invested in and prioritised its community and volunteer engagement programme, drawn directly from the estate's silvicultural and biodiversity objectives. This is a great example of planned, carefully implemented community engagement producing high quality outcomes.”

🥈 Winning silver - Laughton Greenwood - formerly Vert Woods Community Woodland
“Our takeaway impression is of a very busy community group with a large number of events and activities, extremely well connected with many other nature initiatives in the area. There is a huge amount going on at Laughton Greenwood, seemingly at pace, which is benefiting both the wood and the wider community.”

Read more: www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/community-woodland-of-the-year-award-2026/

💚 Thank you so much to our sponsors The Woodland Trust, and all those who entered!

21/10/2026

🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the Bede Howell Award for Excellence in Silviculture at the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2026!

🏆 Taking gold - Herriard Estate
“The outstanding quality that the Herriard Estate demonstrates is the very high standard of silvicultural expertise applied to these woodlands. There is really nothing that we could criticise concerning the woodland management at Herriard Estate. It is without doubt a Multi-Purpose Forest 'par excellence'.”

🥈 Winning silver - Pheasant Copse & Frith Wood, Leconfield Estate
"Coming second to Herriard Estate in this year's competition should not diminish the merit of what is being achieved at Leconfield, which might easily have lifted the trophy in another year. The quality and spacing of the oak was outstanding and a great credit to Neil's input."

Read more: www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/bede-howell-award-silviculture-2026/

💚 Thank you so much to our sponsors Tilhill Forestry, and all those who entered!

21/10/2026

20/10/2026

🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the Education & Learning Award at the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2026!

🏆 Taking gold - FORESTED Project, London Metropolitan University
“The project is especially effective in linking trees to everyday wood products because learners follow the material journey from tree selection and woodland management through to timber processing, construction and the creation of outdoor furniture for community use. This direct connection between ecological decision-making, material performance, product design and social value strongly addresses local/global considerations relating to sustainable wood resources and the social and economic benefits of timber.”

🥈 Winning silver - Level 3 Forestry, Sparsholt College
“The programme creates lasting environmental, social, and economic benefits by promoting sustainable forestry practices, supporting biodiversity and carbon capture, and developing skilled professionals. By combining practical experience, industry connections, sustainability education, and clear progression routes, the course is continually attracting new learners and helping to address future workforce needs within the forestry sector.”

Read more: www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/education-learning-award-2026/

💚 Thank you so much to our sponsors & PEFC UK Ltd, and all those who entered!

19/10/2026

🤩 EXCITING NEWS!

Thanks to an extra boost of funding from the Forestry Commission and ALA Green Charitable Trust, there is one last traineeship position available in our coveted Forestry Roots program at the beautiful Bolton Abbey !

For more information check out: https://rfs.org.uk/jobs/forestry-roots-trainee-forestry-worker/

🥾 The closing date is the end of this week: October 26, 2026 so get your metaphorical boots moving and applications in.

19/10/2026

🌳 Congratulations to the winners of the Duke of Cornwall's Award for Resilient Multi-Purpose Forestry at the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2026!

🏆 Taking gold - Swinley Forest
“This extensive forest area of 1,152 hectares, a short distance from Windsor, ticked all the boxes for a worthy winner of the Duke of Cornwall's Award in 2026. We were ably shown a good cross-section of the silviculture, recreation facilities and conservation work all within Swinley Forest by Chief Forester Richard Everett. All in all, an outstanding winner.”

🥈 Winning silver - Reynolds And Holcot Wood
“Luke has his eye on the markets and novel woodland outlets... His innovative approach to managing Reynolds and Holcot Wood certainly warrants the second prize in the Duke of Cornwall's Award.”

Read more: www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/duke-of-cornwalls-award-2026

💚 Thank you so much to our sponsors Trees Please Ltd & Savills, and all those who entered!

Forest of Marston Vale The Woodland Trust

16/10/2026

Thank you to all our applicants, winners, judges, sponsors, and our lovely venue! It's always incredible to be around such inspiring and hard-working people and we are thrilled to celebrate with you.

Swinley Forest Windsor Great Park Forest of Marston Vale London Metropolitan University Sparsholt College Gravetye Estate Laughton Greenwood - formerly Vert Woods Community Woodland

16/10/2026

Congratulations Mr John Morris who is award the Sylva Trophy 2026 at the Excellence in Forestry Awards ceremony.

"John’s breadth of knowledge in botanical, zoological, and silvicultural has allowed him to develop a uniquely well-round approach to his work. As his professional career begins to close, we thank him for his commitment to all his woodland projects.”
- Nick Mottrom FICFor CEnv, Chair of RFS Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Division

Read more: https://rfs.org.uk/news-list/john-morris-wins-sylva-trophy-for-devotion-to-chilterns-woodland-management/