Georgina Colman
Grown in Britain Week 2024

Did you know it’s #GrownInBritainWeek? Today’s theme is collaboration and investing in the future. In 2016, Woodland Heritage invested in Whitney Sawmills, becoming the owner of the highly respected sawmill.

Grown in Britain Week 2024
Georgina Colman
Seeds to Sawdust - Matt Estlea Collaboration

If you’re here, chances are you’ve stumbled across this blog thanks to Matt Estlea’s video. Welcome! This probably means you already know who Matt is, and no introduction is needed, but for those who’ve found the blog by other means, this is a quick note to welcome you and share more about this exciting collaboration! Join the fun below by reading more about the collaboration & watch Matt’s video.

Seeds to Sawdust - Matt Estlea Collaboration
Acute Oak Decline
Georgina Colman
Are you a citizen scientist?

Are you a citizen scientist? Forest Research and The University of Warwick are undertaking a project to understand how surveys for tree pests and pathogens can be more effective by involving citizen science. This September/October, they are asking for your help.

Are you a citizen scientist?
Blogs
Georgina Colman
James Wood Study Tour

As July began, a group of ‘early career’ forestry professionals toured James Wood, Somerset. The event was run by the Institute of Chartered Foresters as part of a study tour with the group guided by Norbert Kovacs of Pryor & Rickett Silviculture.

James Wood Study Tour
Courses, Updates
Georgina Colman
Unique Course Links Tree Growers with Wood Users

A unique ‘Woodland to Workshop’ course from the charity Woodland Heritage, held from 24 to 26 September 2024, will bring together tree growers, wood users and beyond to learn how to make the most of the vital connections between our woodlands and workshops.

Unique Course Links Tree Growers with Wood Users

Forestry

Geraint Richards - New Woodland Heritage Trustee

geraint-richards.jpg

Geraint Richards grew up in the Chiltern Hills, very near to the Forestry Commission’s District Office. His love for woodlands and forests was inspired, surrounded as he was, by the famous Chiltern Beechwoods. In 1988 he went to study at university in Bangor, North Wales and after four years (which included a year-out with the Forestry Commission in Thetford) he graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Forestry. He immediately went to work in Kent and East Sussex for the Forestry Commission, but in 1995 applied for the job of Head Forester with the Duchy of Cornwall. (The interviews happened to take place whilst he was on honeymoon in Cornwall – which his wife will not let him forget!)

In 1996 he started work with the Duchy and now has overall responsibility for the management of the Duchy’s woodlands, which extend from the Isles of Scilly to Herefordshire, and amount to some 4,500 acres (1,825 hectares). Early on, and before everyone else, he took the Duchy’s woods into FSC certification and adopted a continuous cover/close-to-nature approach to management. He has been involved with all sorts of organisations and initiatives to do with trees, woodlands and forests and more especially, issues close to His Royal Highness’ heart – such as high-quality silviculture, utilising and ‘adding-value’ to home-grown timber, and education/training. All of which is fully in line with the aims and objectives of Woodland Heritage.

“We are indeed fortunate to be able to call upon his expertise and experience, which has been most evident in his involvement with our ‘From Woodland to Workshop’ Courses, along with our other dedicated Tutors. Geraint is a valuable addition to our committed team and we are delighted to welcome him as a Trustee. Coming from a Welsh mother, Cornish father and supporting the Welsh boys in red in rugby, Geraint would not forgive me if I did not mention his Celtic loyalties too, which are reflected in the names of his five children.”

Peter Goodwin, Chairman of Trustees