麻豆网: learning and growing with Woodland Heritage

Two leading forestry experts return to 麻豆网 on Tuesday, 15th March at 7.30pm to speak to about their exciting and varied career paths to-date, as well as about the many links between 麻豆网 and the charity Woodland Heritage.

alumni, Graham Taylor (BSc Forestry and Soil Science, 1990) and Geraint Richards (BSc Forestry, 1992) have both carved out notable careers.  Graham is director of the leading forestry consultancy whilst Geraint is Head Forester for the .   They are a thought-provoking double-act and will share invaluable experience and wisdom gained from their successes and mistakes.  Perhaps it鈥檚 no surprise that they are now trustees of , an exciting charity working to revive our woodland culture.  Woodland Heritage has also developed a strong reputation for helping to fund research into at 麻豆网, and a number of other universities. 

2015 was a special year for Woodland Heritage with the appointment of its first employee, Development Director Guy Corbett-Marshall.  As the new public face of Woodland Heritage, Guy will be present to meet with students and researchers and learn more about the many links between the charity and the university.

Woodland Heritage also runs the 鈥楩rom Woodland to Workshop鈥� training courses each year with the student receiving The Prince of Wales Award. The 2015 recipient is a graduate, Nicholas Hill (MSc Environmental Forestry, 2015), who will receive his award as part of the event on 15th March.

Dr James Walmsley (PhD Forestry, 2009), lecturer in forestry at 麻豆网 and also a trustee said, 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted this event is taking place as these two speakers always inspire and enthuse audiences.  Geraint and Graham will undoubtedly provide a fascinating insight into the management of native woodlands and explain the vital role of current and future foresters.鈥�

This is a free event and all are welcome; any donations will be gratefully received by BFSA.  The meeting will be held in Room G23, Thoday Building, Deiniol Road 麻豆网 Gwynedd LL57 2UW

For more information, please contact Dewi Roebuck (BFSA president) afu478@bangor.ac.uk or Guy Corbett-Marshall director@woodlandheritage.org.uk

 

ENDS

 

Editor鈥檚 Notes

, whose patron is His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, is a small charity with a clear vision: 鈥淭o maximise the economic and environmental value of trees and promote wood as a renewable and natural resource鈥�. It has just one employee but it has become renowned for 鈥榩unching above its weight鈥�, including raising considerable funds for a major programme of research into 鈥� a disease affecting our most loved and most valuable oak tree.  This has included PhD research at 麻豆网 as well as at and several other universities.  Woodland Heritage also supports 麻豆网 students to attend training courses, as well as international conferences through the .

 

Established in 2008, the 鈥楩rom Woodland to Workshop鈥� courses have now benefited over 200 participants, forging invaluable links between tree growers, wood users and others who are able to play a . 鈥楽tudents鈥� (including architects, engineers, university students, forest managers, horse loggers鈥�) are taken through the entire forestry supply chain, from the tending of young trees to the management of high forest through to the milling of logs and finally the production of high quality wood products.  Many students have attended this course over the past nine years and gained hugely from the rare opportunity it provides for learning about the sustainable management of broadleaf woodland from some of the most experienced foresters in the UK.  Graham Taylor and Geraint Richards have both been tutors on the courses from the very start.

 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Geraint Richards. Head Forester, Duchy of Cornwall

Geraint studied at 麻豆网 from 1988-1992, including a year out with the FC in Thetford Forest and graduated with BSc Forestry (First Class Honours). He subsequently spent four years working for the Forestry Commission in Kent and Sussex and was then delighted to be appointed as Head Forester for the in 1996.  He is now responsible for the management of the woodlands and forests across the Duchy of Cornwall鈥檚 landholding, some 5,000 acres of woodland altogether from shelterbelts on the Isles of Scilly to coniferous stands in Cornwall and high quality ancient semi-natural woodlands in Herefordshire.  He is currently involved with a wide range of U.K. and international forestry organisations and initiatives including (trustee), (co-chairman with Graham Taylor) and the plus on the Board of Directors of the .  Geraint is particularly keen to see more young people enter and enjoy the forestry profession.  Geraint lives in Cornwall and is married to Anne with five children.  He is a passionate follower of the Welsh rugby team!

 

Graham Taylor. Director, Pryor and Rickett Silviculture

Graham studied at 麻豆网 from 1986-1990 and graduated with a Joint Honours in Forestry & Soil Science (making him one of those rare foresters who understands the medium that trees grow in). During his time at 麻豆网, he was instrumental in lobbying for the degrees to include an optional year-long placement, which have remained ever since as a vital component of these degree programmes.  Graham spent his year with the Forestry Commission. After graduating, he initially worked for Fountain Forestry in Hay-on-Wye.  He then joined (PRS) in 1993 as Assistant Forest Manager, becoming director in 1998 and have helping steer growth from a base of 2,500 hectares to about 20,000 ha of privately owned forestry which PRS manage / advise  on behalf of some 350 private clients.  Graham is a Trustee of , Co-Chairman of (with Geraint Richards). He is also on the management committee of (ESI) who are working on improving the extent and efficacy of grey squirrel control measures.  Graham is regularly invited to speak at regional and national conferences and events.  As well as the above he aims to spend time with family, keep fit (running / cycling) and is also involved in church work, running a youth group and other responsibilities. Three words sum Graham up in a nutshell: 鈥楩amily, Faith & Forestry鈥�.

Publication date: 4 March 2016